The Bruins opened their time at the NCCAA South Region Tournament with a thrilling 7-6 upset win over the top-seeded University of Fort Lauderdale. The game began at 9:30 a.m. from Miller Field in Columbia, South Carolina, but due to a weather delay finished eight hours later. Despite the delay, the Bruins were able to battle back and take game one in their journey to their first ever regional title.
"The boys have matured in their game so much in the last several weeks," said Head Coach Brent Casteel. "I am so proud of their effort. That was the best game in Bruins baseball history!"
The Bruins entered today's contest as the #8 seed prepared to face #1 University of Fort Lauderdale. The two teams met for the first time last year where the Eagles swept the series against the Bruins.
Through overcast and rainy conditions at Miller Field the Bruins began the postseason at the NCCAA South Region Tournament hosted by Columbia International University. Leadoff hitter Riley Ramsey opened the day with a single to right field to get on base. Evan Walker then bounced the ball towards the pitcher. After racing to first, he reached second on a missed throw to first. A double by Conley Burk sent Walker home and put the Bruins on the board in the opening inning. With two outs and the bases loaded, the Bruins looked to add more runs to their total, but Sam Gonzalez grounded out to second leaving three runners stranded.
A strong offense by the Eagles combined with several defensive errors by the Bruins allowed University of Fort Lauderdale to record five runs in the bottom of the first.
In the top of the fourth inning, back-to-back singles by Sam Gonzalez and Chad Bayne saw the Bruins with their best opportunity to make something happen. As Zay Brandt prepared to hit, heavy rain halted the game. Due to continued weather and field conditions, the game was paused until later in the afternoon. At 4 p.m., the game resumed, and the break sparked some offense for the Bruins. Brandt earned a free base after getting hit by a pitch to load the bases for the Bruins. The Bruins were back at the top of the order as Riley Ramsey smacked the ball into left field for a two RBI double to cut down the Bruins deficit. Conley Burk responded with an RBI single to score Brandt and pull the Bruins within one heading into the bottom of the inning.
In the bottom of the fifth inning, the Eagles tacked on one more run to take the 6-4 lead.
Evan Walker walked to open the sixth inning. He advanced to second and then again to third on a wild pitch to sit in scoring position. Kam Lance hit one up the middle towards centerfield to score Evan Walker and put the Bruins back within one.
In the top of the seventh and final inning of the tournament opener, the Bruins battled with all they had in them. Like several other times earlier in the game, the bases were loaded with two outs on the board. Kam Lance came up to bat and waited for his pitch. When he saw one he liked, he hit it up towards centerfield scoring both Bayne and Walker to put the Bruins on top 7-6.
Bob Jones held on through the bottom of the inning to secure the 7-6 victory.
With the upset, the Bruins have now won four straight games as they advance in the winners bracket. They will take on the winner of the #4 Toccoa Falls College vs #5 Columbia International University game at 3 p.m. on Tuesday in Columbia, South Carolina. Full tournament information can be found
here.
