LAURINBURG, N.C. (March 4, 2022) – The Truett McConnell University baseball team traveled to face Appalachian Athletic Conference opponent, St. Andrews University, on Friday, where the Bears stole game one of the series after a sharp performance from the pitching staff and execution in the box from the offense (4-3).

PLAY-BY-PLAY

The Knights struck first in the bottom of the second inning, but TMU not shaken as a Mikal Mascarello double sparked the inning. A hit by pitch from Will Ingram and a walk from Tanner Griffith loaded the bases for Brady Wilson, who executed in the box, capable of scoring all three runners on base (3-1). Pitcher Cason Brown carried the momentum to the mound, as he recorded six strikeouts to keep the home team's offense at bay.

The top of the eighth saw the Bears at to the lead with an Ingram RBI single to score Andrew Johnston from third, but St. Andrews did not back down as they worked to decrease the gap with a run of their own (4-2). The Knights gained speed in the bottom of the ninth with a leadoff home run, but the game was ultimately won by the Bears as pitcher Johnathan Joiner shut down the home team's offense for the final two outs of the game (4-3).

LEADRERS

Wilson led the way with a single hit and three RBIs, while Ingram followed with a one hit, one run and one RBI. Mascarello and Johnston had one hit and one run apiece, followed by Matthew Redmond and Kodi Biship who individually had one hit on the day.

Brown earned the win after pitching 8.1 innings, featuring a career single game high of 11 strikeouts.

UP NEXT

The Bears are back in action Saturday, March 5, where they will face St. Andrews in a series doubleheader with game one set for 12:00 p.m.