For just the second time in program history, the Bruins have defeated the Columbia International University Rams by a final score of 4-2. This road win marks the first win of the season for the Bruins.
"By God's grace, our pitching staff showed up tonight," Head Coach Kyle Morrison said. "Sterling Jones, Noah Ezell, Gabe Swarms, and Tillman Padgett did a fantastic job and really pitched with the humble swagger we want our guys to throw with. Humility in that they understand their ability comes from the Lord and a swagger in the knowledge that their ability comes from the Lord."
After two scoreless innings for both teams to start the game, the Bruins got on the board first with a run in the top of the third inning on a passed ball where Henry Rumble came in to score. The Bruins added to their early lead in the fourth inning after Evan Johnson stayed hot from the dish with an RBI-single to make it 2-0.
Sterling Jones started on the mound for the Bruins and was excellent in his five innings pitched. The only blemish was a run allowed in the bottom of the fifth inning. He finished his start with six strikeouts. Noah Ezell followed him for two scoreless innings in relief and set up the Bruins well to close out the big win.
The Bruins were able to add a run in each the sixth and eighth inning. Both runs were from an at-bat by Cody Kirkpatrick. In the sixth inning, he was walked with the bases loaded which brought in Henry Rumble to score his second run of the day to put the Bruins up 3-1. In the eighth inning, the Rams committed an error in the field that allowed Kirkpatrick to reach base and Sam Gearhart to score the run.
Gabe Swarms came in relief after Ezell and threw a scoreless eighth inning and picked up the first out of the ninth inning before Tillman Padgett came in for the final two outs of the game. Padgett struck out his first batter before giving up a run to make it 4-2. The small comeback did not last for the Rams as Padgett closed out the Bruins huge 4-2 victory.
Coach Morrison continued to praise the pitching after the game but realized the offense needs to keep working. "I really believe the Lord provided us with a great pitching staff, and now we just need to get the bats going now. I think we left 14 runners on base, and if we want to win more games, we need to get hitting. Proud of the guys tonight. God is good."
Evan Johnson and Cayden Kennedy both ended the night with two hits to lead the Bruins offense. Cody Kirkpatrick was credited with two runs batted in.
The Bruins now look forward to their home-opening series this weekend as they host Mid-Atlantic Christian University for a three-game series.
