TOCCOA, Ga. (Jan. 28, 2020) – The Truett McConnell University baseball team traveled to Toccoa Falls College for their season opener and came out with a dominating 16-5 win on Tuesday evening.
RUN BY RUN
After two scoreless innings, senior Evan Bensch opened up the third with a solo home run (1-0). Freshman Brian Meyer followed up with a single but it was Josh Johnston's double that brought in Meyer for the second run of the game (2-0). Johnston went on to score the third and final run of the inning on a wild pitch (3-0). The Screaming Eagles were unable to respond in the bottom half of the third but earned a run themselves in the bottom of the fourth (3-1). Nonetheless, Johnston homered to open the fifth inning (5-1) and it was only up from there for the Bears.
A Devyn Munroe single, a Bensch double, a hit by pitch, a walk, another Johnston double, a Calob Rowland single and a Mason Gaines single all led to five runs for the Bears in the top of the sixth (10-1). Toccoa did answer with three runs in the bottom half of the sixth and one more run in the seventh (10-5) but TMU's eighth inning was the most dominating one of the night. A handful of walks led to the first three runs (13-5), but Meyer's sacrifice fly brought home fellow freshman Munroe (14-5) and Johnston's single scored fellow senior Shane Smith to ultimately put the game out of reach (15-5).
LEADERS
The preseason All-American, Johnston, led the way going 4-for-5 from the plate, including five RBI's and four runs. Fellow senior Bensch went 2-for-3, while freshman Meyer was perfect (2-for-2); both scored two runs apiece. Gaines added two hits and Smith added two RBI's. The Bears only tallied a total of two strikeouts.
Senior Nick Hammonds was credited the win after pitching three innings to allow one hit, one run, one walk and one strikeout. Freshman Hagan Jenkins made his debut recording two strikeouts in two innings pitched.
UP NEXT
The Bears are set to host Milligan College for their home opener on Friday, Jan. 31, at 1:00 p.m., and 4:00 p.m., and again on Saturday, Feb. 1, at 11:00 a.m., weather permitting. These times are subject to change. See our schedule page for all updated changes.
