The Bruins baseball team finished their three-game series today with Guilford College. Friday night, the Bruins lost 12-2 and going into Saturday they played a doubleheader where they split with the Quakers. The Bruins dropped game one 4-1, but the second game went a lot better as they picked up a 7-5 win!
Game One
The first game was a struggle for the Bruins as they only managed three hits the entire game. The Quakers on the other hand, were able to score four runs off seven hits. Henry Wallach pitched for the Bruins striking out two guys and only walking three batters.
The first two innings were completely scoreless. The Quakers got two men on base in the first inning, but the Bruins were able to get out the inning before any damage was done. Both teams finished the second inning quickly as they finished three up, three down. The third inning was no different for the Bruins as they were unable to get anybody on base. The Quakers scored first in the bottom of the third inning and were unable to convert any additional runs stranding two.
The Quakers took their 1-0 lead into the fourth inning and kept the Bruins off the board. Despite walking one of the Quakers, the Bruins kept the Quakers from extending their lead any further. To start the fifth, JC Poe was able to hit a single into left field to lead off for the Bruins, but they couldn't capitalize on a baserunner. The Quakers extended their lead in the bottom of the inning with a two-run homerun to go up 3-0. They threatened to score more with guys at first and second base.
The sixth was more struggles for the Bruins with a fly out and two groundouts. The Quakers managed to score again in the bottom of the sixth, but no more damage was done. As the Bruins started their rally in the seventh Evan Walker tripled to right field as the leadoff batter. With one out, JC Poe hit into a sac fly and scored Walker to cut the lead to 4-1, but the very next batter struck out and the game finished.
Game Two
After a break between the two games, the Bruins and Quakers were back on the field for second time during the day. In each of the first three innings, the Bruins managed to get on base, but couldn't get anything more. The Quakers scored a single run in each of the first three innings and took an early 3-0 lead.
The top of the fourth wasn't very eventful as neither team was able to add any runs to the scoreboard. The fifth inning saw both teams hit a single, but they were both turned into double plays so that neither team could score.
The Bruins were running out of time and were down three and they needed a rally to get themselves back into this game. Riley Ramsey helped get the rally started with a double to center and the Evan Walker followed with a double of his own to score Ramsey. Sam Gonzalez singled on a bunt which advanced Walker to third. A couple of out would put the Bruins on the edge of their seats, but Cody Kirkpatrick would keep the inning going with a single of his own. Walker scored easily while Gonzalez would make it all the way around as well after an error from the second baseman and Kirkpatrick would find himself at second base. With one man on, the Bruins tied the game at three runs each. After a pitching change, the Bruins struck out and left Kirkpatrick on base.
In the bottom of the sixth, the Quakers managed two hits and had a batter walked which allowed them to retake the lead. They tried to extend their 4-3 lead further, but the Bruins played well and were able to end the inning.
Chad Bayne ripped one into right center field to leadoff the seventh inning for the Bruins. A groundout would allow Bayne to advance to third and then Riley Ramsey tripled to right center, scoring Bayne and tying the game again. Evan Walker struck out swinging, but reached first on a wild pitch to put guys at the corners. Sam Gonzalez reached on a fielder's choice and Walker advanced to second, but Ramsey was called out at home plate. JC Poe was walked and that loaded the bases before Pablo Austin doubled to clear the bases and gave the Bruins a 7-4 lead. In response, the Quakers managed to score a run to cut it to 7-5, but their rally was cut short and the Bruins won 7-5.
Head Coach Brent Casteel commented, "rough start in the first game today, but thankfully we played two! The boys kept the pedal down from start to finish! Finally got that first one!"
Up next, the Bruins will head down to Columbia International University for a single game on Tuesday night. First pitch is scheduled for 4 p.m. For more Bruins content, be sure to check out
BJUbruins.com.
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