In round two of the NCCAA South Region Tournament, the Bruins fell in a hard fought contest to Columbia International University. With today's loss, the Bruins will look to battle their way out of the loser's bracket tomorrow from Miller Field in Columbia, South Carolina.

"It was one of those games, the games you can't have in tournament play," said Head Coach Brent Casteel. "We couldn't get the key hits when we needed them, and CIU ook advantage of pitches up in the zone with two strikes."
 
After a thrilling 7-6 upset victory over #1 University of Fort Lauderdale on Monday, the Bruins waited to find out their round two opponent. Rain and field conditions shifted back the games on Monday and Tuesday, and in the final game of the day on Tuesday, the #5 CIU Rams took on #4 Toccoa Falls College. The Rams and Screaming Eagles went into extra innings where the Rams came out on top.

Today's game marked the third meeting between the Bruins and Rams this season with the Rams taking both victories earlier in the year.

As today's game got underway, CIU opened the game with a run in the first inning.

The leadoff hitters loaded the bases with no outs as the Bruins went to bat in the bottom of the first. With the pitch count at two balls and two strikes, Kam Lance swung on and singled to centerfield scoring Riley Ramsey. Back-to-back strikeouts for CIU kept the bases loaded for BJU. Sam Gonzalez tried to keep the inning alive but popped the ball up to short stop where the Rams made the catch to end the first inning.

In the top of the third, the Rams began a two-out rally. Back-to-back hits scored three runs for the host school. The offensive strength continued for the Rams as they recorded a fourth run before the Bruins closed out the inning. CIU added to their score with a two RBI home run in the fourth inning to go up 7-1.

Bob Jones looked to start a comeback in the bottom of the fourth inning as they had runners on the corners. But unfortunately they were left stranded as Zay Brandt and Riley Ramsey both flew out to centerfield to end their time at the plate.

After Conley Burk walked in the bottom of the fifth inning, back-to-back errors by the Rams allowed him to advance and then score to give the Bruins another run on the scoresheet.

Riley Ramsey and Evan Walker both singled as they worked to create a two-out rally in the bottom of the sixth inning. Conley Burk loaded the bases after he got hit by a pitch. The Bruins struck out swinging to leave the runners on base going into the final inning of the contest.
 
A lightning delay at the top of the seventh inning briefly paused the game. The Bruins were hopeful for some weather delay magic like Monday's game as they had one more chance at the plate, but the game ended with Columbia International University on top 7-2.

The Bruins will take on #7 Trinity Baptist College Thursday morning at 9 a.m. as they battle to stay in the NCCAA South Region Tournament.

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