CLEVELAND, Ga. (Apr. 22, 2021) – The Truett McConnell University baseball team fell 14-2 to Columbia International University in game one of the three-game Appalachian Athletic Conference series in seven innings inside the TMU Baseball Complex on Thursday evening. The Bears fell to 24-17, 12-12 AAC on the season, while the Rams improved to 25-22, 13-12 AAC. 
 
PLAY-BY-PLAY
The Rams got up on the board quick in the first on a two-run homerun (0-2), but Josh Johnston answered in the bottom half with his 10th homerun of the season (1-2). It wasn't until the bottom of the fifth that TMU tied it back up when Grant McDonel scored on Mikal Macarello's batted ball that forced a CIU wild throw (2-2). But it was only up from there from the Rams the rest of the way as CIU recorded back-to-back six-run innings in the sixth and seventh (2-14), which forced the run rule into play in the seventh after TMU left two on base.
 
LEADERS
Overall, TMU recorded a total of six hits to CIU's 20. Cason King led the Bears going 2-for-3, while Will Ingram, J. Johnston and McDonel each went 1-for-2. Andrew Johnston went 1-for-3. J. Johnston and Mascarello led with one RBI apiece.
 
Pitcher Gabe Dyar made the start throwing 1.2 innings of five hits, two runs, one walk and one strikeout. Jared Johnson, Craig Barton, Jacob Adams and C.J. Thomas all relieved. Adams recorded three strikeouts, while Johnson recorded two himself. 
 
UP NEXT
The Bears have a quick turnaround as they will face the Rams in games two and three of the AAC series at the TMU Baseball Complex on Friday, Apr. 23, at 1:00 p.m., and 4:00 p.m.