The Bob Jones University Bruins broke out of a six game losing slide and picked up back-to-back wins as they swept Saturday's doubleheader against Paine College at Conestee Park. In game one, the Bruins put together a 10-3 victory before wrapping up the day with a 6-2 win. With today's wins, the Bruins have improved to 7-13 overall and 4-7 in region play.
As game one got underway in Greenville, South Carolina, leadoff batter Mannix Crawford walked to get on base for the Bruins. After advancing throughout the inning, Crawford scored on a sacrifice fly by Caden Kennedy to put the Bruins on the board.
The Bruins held a narrow 1-0 lead through three innings before Paine evened things up in the fourth. With the bases loaded in the top of the fourth, the Lions looked to take a lead, but a diving catch by Henry Rumble ended the inning, leaving three runners stranded.
The Bruins erupted in the bottom of the fifth, capitalizing on timely hits to plate seven runs. Jacob Highsmith and Zac Tyre each contributed three-run home runs to blow the game open.
In the sixth, Evan Johnson and Cody Kirkpatrick each added RBI singles to move the Bruins up to ten runs.
The Lions couldn't catch up, and game one of the day ended with the Bruins on top 10-3.
On the mound, Tillman Padgett turned in a complete game effort, allowing three runs on seven hits to earn the win.
The momentum carried into game two, where Bob Jones jumped out early and never looked back.
An RBI double by Johnson scored Crawford in the bottom of the first inning to get the Bruins on the board first. Up next, Henry Rumble tripled to send Johnson home. Tyre flied out to right field to allow Rumble to run home and put the Bruins up 3-0.
With Johnson on base, Rumble hit the ball over the fence to add two more runs for the Bruins in the bottom of the third.
In the bottom of the fifth inning, Rumble continued his strong offense with another home run to go up 6-0.
Paine College looked to mount a brief rally in the sixth, scoring twice on a triple and a single, but the Bruins quickly shut the door.
Mackenzie Ritter went the distance in game two, allowing just two runs on four hits while striking out seven. Despite a few late threats, Ritter sealed the complete game victory.
"By God's grace, the team came out and really let the barrel fly," said Head Coach Kyle Morrison. "Henry Rumble, Jacob Highsmith, and Evan Johnson did a great job swinging it today. Tilman Padgett and Mackenzie Ritter did phenomenal on the mound. We challenged the pitchers early in the week about getting "holds" after we get runs in the previous half inning. They did a great job of that. The team hit well with runners in scoring position today as well."
"It was an all around great effort, and I'm extremely proud of them!"
The Bruins look to keep up the momentum with four games in three days next week beginning with a Tuesday night contest at Truett McConnell University.
