CLEVELAND, Ga. (Mar. 9, 2021) – After one week off from competition, the Truett McConnell University baseball team defeated Bob Jones University 14-3 on Tuesday afternoon at the TMU Baseball Complex in seven innings. The Bears improved to 10-7, 1-2 AAC on the year, while the Bruins fell to 0-8 in the program's first-ever season.
 
PLAY-BY-PLAY
The Bruins were capable of getting up on the scoreboard first right away (0-1), but Will Ingram's leadoff hit by pitch fueled a three-run inning in the bottom of the first. Fifth-year Josh Johnston followed up with a two-run homerun over the right field fence on the second pitch (2-1), which put the Bears in the lead for good, and TMU scored again on a hit by pitch (3-1).
 
A Johnston double down the right field line and a Mikal Mascarello sacrifice fly scored two more in the second (5-1), and two more sacrifice flies, by C.J. Thomas and Ingram, scored another pair of runs (7-1) in the third. The bottom of the fourth, however, proved to put the game out of reach for the Bruins. Seven hits and a BJU defensive error allowed the Bears to score eight runs (15-1) and the Bruins were never capable of recovering.
 
BY THE NUMBERS
Overall, the Bears outhit the Bruins 18-4. Johnston individually led going 4-for-6 with four RBIs and four runs, including a homerun and a double. Julian Galassi was perfect (3-for-3) with two RBIs and two runs, including a double. Ingram also had a perfect outing (2-for-2) with three RBIs. Freshman Cason King went 3-for-4 with two runs and an RBI. Logan Nelson, Mascarello, Andrew Johnston and Kodi Bishop all added one hit apiece.
 
Gabe Dyar earned the win throwing three innings of one hit, zero earned runs, one walk and four strikeouts. Jacob Adams relieved for two innings recording three strikeouts, while Miller McCathren and John James threw one inning apiece.
 
UP NEXT
The Bears are set to host St. Andrews University for a three-game Appalachian Athletic Conference series on Friday, March 12 – Saturday, March 13.