CLEVELAND, Ga. (March 19, 2022) – On Saturday, the Truett McConnell University baseball team hosted Appalachian Athletic Conference opponent, Montreat College, for the final two games of the weekend series. The Bears had a tough late game loss (5-13), but returned for a hard fought 8-3 victory in game three. TMU improves to a record of 14-11, 8-7 AAC, while the Cavaliers sit 19-15, 6-9 AAC.

GAME 1 | 5-13
The Bears hit the board early in the second inning with a Mikal Mascarello triple to center field. Isaak Mullanack singled to right field to score Mascarello (1-0). Will Ingram had a single to right field, while Brady Wilson had a single to score Mullanack (2-0). A hot streak from the Cavaliers led them to score four runs in the top of the fourth, but TMU quickly responded. A walk from Tanner Griffith and an Andrew Johnston double to right field scored Griffith (4-3). The score remained close until the Bears jumped ahead in the fifth with a double from Johnston, with Russell Kiser coming in to pinch run. Ingram singled to right to score Kiser, followed by a Matthew Redmond double to score Ethan Roberts, who pinch ran for Ingram (5-4). In the top of the seventh, the Cavaliers scored two more runs to regain the lead (6-5). The Cavaliers continued to steal the game in the eighth and ninth with seven more runs, making the final score 13-5. 

LEADERS
Ingram led the way offensively, going 3-4 at the plate with one RBI. Johnston followed, going 2-3 at the plate with one RBI. Wilson was 2-4 with one RBI, while Redmond and Mullanack were 1-4 at the plate with one RBI apiece.
Pitcher Cason Brown recorded one strikeout, while Jonathan Joiner recorded two strikeouts on the day.

GAME 2 | 8-3
After a tough loss, the Bears were quick to hit the board. In the bottom of the second, a walk from Griffith and a double from Jake Edwards put runners in scoring position. A single from Sam Reed scored both runners, while a single from Mullanack scored Reed (3-0). The Bears were able to add another run in the third with a Wilson single, followed by another Edwards single. Kodi Bishop was hit by a pitch to load the bases, where a single from Reed scored Wilson (4-0). TMU collected the final runs of the game in the bottom of the fourth, starting with a Mullanack and Wilson walk. A single from Griffith loaded the bases, followed by an Edwards single (5-0). A sacrifice fly from Bishop and a Reed single scored the final three runs of the game (8-0). The Cavaliers were able to put up three runs, but it was not enough, giving the Bears an 8-3 victory.

LEADERS
Reed led the way offensively, going 3-3 at the plate with five clutch RBIs. Edwards followed going 3-4 with two runs scored. Wilson and Griffith were both 1-3 at the plate, tallying two runs apiece.
Pitcher Craig Barton threw a complete game, recording four strikeouts and only allowing six hits over seven innings to secure his fifth win of the season.

UP NEXT
The Bears travel to Toccoa Falls, Ga. to face Toccoa Falls College for a non-conference matchup on Tuesday, March 22. Game time is set for 2:00 p.m.