GRAYSON, Ky. (Apr. 9, 2021) – The Truett McConnell University baseball team traveled to Kentucky Christian University for an Appalachian Athletic Conference showdown, where they bested the Knights in game one with a score of 8-0 and carried the same momentum to game two to tally a second win of 8-2. The doubleheader sweep clinched the three-game AAC series win, which is TMU's second AAC series win of the season. The Bears rose to a record of 19-15, 9-10 AAC, while the Knights declined to a record of 8-21,2-11 AAC. 

GAME ONE 8-0
Both teams were scoreless until the top of the third inning, when a Devyn Munroe single to right scored Nelson from third, followed by a fielder's choice that Cason King from third (2-0). The Bears continued to put pressure on KCU's defense by putting runners in scoring position, capitalizing in the top of the sixth with a lead off Mikal Mascarello homerun over the left field fence (3-0), followed by a double from Julian Galassi, who then scored from a sacrifice fly ball from Tanner Griffith to make the score 4-0. TMU added three more runs to cap off the inning, with one more run in the top of ninth off a Kodi Bishop homer over the left field fence, clinching the game one shutout with a final score of 8-0. 

LEADERS
Munroe led the way going 2-for-4 at the plate, along with a single walk, run and RBI. King followed up going 2-for-4 with one run, while Bishop and Mascarello individually tallied a single homerun apiece. Gaines had one hit with two RBIS, followed by Galassi and Griffith who had one hit apiece and J. Johnston who recorded two RBIs with one run.

Pitcher Gabe Dyar collected his sixth win of the season, with only one walk, three hits and zero runs scored. Jared Johnson and Jacob Adams both relieved for TMU combining for a total of eight strikeouts. 

GAME TWO 8-2
The Bears came out hot in game two, hitting the board in the top of the first after a single to center from J. Johnston caused a defensive indifference (1-0). The Knights scored their first run of the day in the bottom of the third and took the lead in the fourth with another (1-2) , but it was only up from there for the Bears. J. Johnston's triple to left fueled an explosive five-run inning for the Bears. Mascarello drove J. Johnston home on a double for the tying run (2-2), Caleb Smith scored the go-ahead run on a KCU defensive error (3-2), Andrew Johnston ran home on a passed ball (4-2), King ran home on a Gaines' single to left (5-2) and Galassi capped off the strong inning with an RBI single to center (6-2).

TMU held KCU scoreless in the fifth, sixth and seventh innings, forcing the Knights to leave a total of five on base, while also adding two more runs from A. Johnston's two-run homer over the right field fence (8-2) to ultimately clinch the doubleheader sweep.

LEADERS
TMU recorded a total of 12 hits to KCU's seven. The Bears were individually led by A. Johnston with two RBIs (2-for-4) and two runs, including a double and a homerun. J. Johnston and Galassi also went 2-for-4, while King went 2-for-3. Macarello went 1-for-2 with one RBI. Will Ingram also went 1-for-2.

Pitcher Andrew Fry earned the win after throwing 4.1 innings of five hits, two runs, two walks and four strikeouts. Jonathan Joiner relieved 2.2 innings of two hits, zero runs, one walk and three strikeouts. 

UP NEXT
The Bears will face KCU one more time for game three on Saturday, Apr. 10, at 11:00 a.m., before hitting the road on Tuesday, Apr. 13, for a midweek nonconference matchup at Bob Jones University.