ATHENS, Tenn. (Mar. 29, 2021) – The Truett McConnell University baseball team fell 17-3 in seven innings against No. 1 Tennessee Wesleyan University to conclude the three-game Appalachian Athletic Conference series on the road. The loss put TMU at 13-14, 3-9 AAC on the year, while the Bulldogs won their fourth straight game to improve to 27-2, 13-2 AAC.

Tennessee Wesleyan currently leads the country in home runs per game (2.321), fielding percentage .983) and opponent batting average (.175). The reigning national champions have recorded a total of 283 runs on the year, while holding their opponents to a total of 76.

PLAY-BY-PLAY

The Bulldogs came out swinging scoring six runs in the second and four runs in the third (0-10). Senior Josh Johnston led off the fourth with a double and scored the Bears' first run on Andrew Johnston's double (1-10). After TWU added another run in the bottom of the fourth (1-11), Logan Nelson went on to spark a two-run inning for TMU in the fifth with a leadoff single to center. J. Johnston's single to right scored Nelson and Devyn Munroe (3-11), but the game proved to already be out of reach as the Bulldogs added a total of six more runs in the fifth and six innings (3-17) to force the run rule into effect.

BY THE NUMBERS

Overall, TWU recorded a total of 14 hits to TMU's seven. J. Johnston led the way individually going 2-for-3 with two RBIs, one run and one walk. Munroe, A. Johnston, Mason Gaines, Nelson and Kodi Bishop added one hit apiece. Senior pitcher Cason Brown made the start for TMU throwing two innings of six hits, six runs, three walks and three strikeouts. Jonathan Joiner, Jacob Adams, Miller McCathren, Jared Johnson and Andrew Fry all relieved.

UP NEXT

The Bears return home to host AAC foe Bryan College on Friday, Apr. 2, at 5:00 p.m., and Saturday, Apr. 3, at 1:00 p.m., and 4:00 p.m.