The Bob Jones University baseball team opened their weekend series with a tight 6-5 loss to Alice Lloyd College from the J.B. Red Owens Sports Complex in Easley, South Carolina Friday evening.

"The team fought hard to get a lead in the bottom of the seventh inning, but we couldn't quite close it," said Head Coach Kyle Morrison. "We gave up way too many free outs with 12 levels and three weak rounders to the shortstop. We were pulling off the ball way too much tonight. We've got to make our adjustments at batting practice tomorrow morning. Lord willing, we will get two good wins tomorrow."

Tillman Padgett got the nod as the starting pitcher in today's nine inning game. Alice Lloyd got off to a good start with an lead off single. They were able to open the scoring in the first inning to lead 1-0. As the Bruins went up to bat, Cody Kirkpatrick opened the inning with a single. Mannix Crawford, runner for Kirkpatrick, advanced to second and then third to get into scoring position. An RBI by Evan Johnson scored Crawford to knot the score at one run apiece. 

Alice Lloyd regained the lead in the top of the second inning with a homer by Cole Bishop. He hit it out of the park again in the top of the fourth inning to put his team ahead of the Bruins 3-1. 

The 3-1 advantage held for the Eagles until the bottom of the seventh inning. With Mannix Crawford and Max Lucien on base, Conley Burk stepped up to the plate and sailed the ball over the fence to bring across all three runners and give the Bruins their first lead of the game.

As the final inning came around, Gabriel Swarms stepped in to pitch for Padgett. With two outs on the board, the Eagles came up big with a three RBI double to take the 6-4 lead. In the bottom of the ninth, the Bruins got players on base and in scoring position. Conley Burk flied out to center field but gave Crawford the chance to cross home. Looking for the game-tying run, the Evan Johnson struck out swinging for the final out of the game as the Bruins fell 6-5.

Padgett finished the game with seven strikeouts through eight innings pitched. Burk led all players with four RBI on the game. 

The two teams are back on the field tomorrow with a doubleheader beginning at noon. Saturday's games will be played at the J.B. Red Owens Sports Complex in Easley, South Carolina.