CLEVELAND, Ga. (April 8, 2022) – The Truett McConnell University baseball team returned inside the TMU Baseball Complex on Friday for an Appalachian Athletic Conference matchup with Bluefield University. The Bears stole game one of the series after stealing the lead in the bottom of the sixth (5-4) and are now sitting at a record of 18-14, 11-8 AAC.

PLAY-BY-PLAY

A Bluefield two-run homerun, followed by a single RBI forced the Bears to work from behind in the top of the second inning. A sacrifice fly from Matt Redmond scored Cade Kiniry from third to put TMU on the board. The Bears continued to decrease the gap in the bottom of the third, featuring an Ethan Roberts RBI single up the middle to score Isaak Mullanack (2-3). The bottom of the fourth saw the Bears steal the lead after a Brady Wilson double to deep left scored Andrew Johnston and Mikal Mascarello to make the score 4-3.

The Rams responded once more in the top of the fifth to make the game even, but TMU showed their grit with strong performances from Jared Johnson and Andrew Fry on the mound, followed by Will Ingram earning an RBI walk to take the lead for the final time (5-4). A strong Bears defense held Bluefield in the top of the seventh, securing game one of the series with a final score of 5-4.

LEADERS

Ingram led the way going 3-4 at the plate, along with one walk and one RBI. Johnston went 2-4 at the plate with one run, while Wilson went 1-3 with two RBIs and two walks. Tanner Griffith, Mullanack and Roberts had a single hit apiece.

Pitcher Tyler Gray earned the win after pitching though 4.1 innings and recorded two strikeouts, while Andrew Fry earned the save after pitching through 3.0 innings with one strikeout.

UP NEXT

The Bears are back inside the TMU Baseball Complex tomorrow for game two and three of the Bluefield series. Game one set for a 1:00 p.m. start time.