CLEVELAND, Ga. (February 10, 2023) – The Truett McConnell University baseball team hosted Indiana University Kokomo on Friday in a non-conference double-header, inside the TMU Baseball Complex. The Bears fell to a tough score of 0-7 in game one, but quickly bounced back in game two with a dominating 13-2 win over the Cougars. TMU rises to a record of 7-2, while Kokomo falls to 4-1.

GAME 1 | 0-7
Kokomo took an early lead after recording four hits, scoring four runs in the first inning (0-4). TMU did no tback down as they fought back with a single from Mikal Mascarello and Jake Edwards, followed by a single from Dylan Sargent to put runners in scoring position. The Bears continued to tack on hits from Mascarello and Ethan Roberts but were unable to capitalize Kokomo added on their final run of the game (0-7) in the top of the sixth inning. The bottom of the seventh saw a Sargent and Griffith walk paired with an Andrew Johnston single to put runners in scoring position once again, ultimately not enough as the Bears fall to a final score of 0-7.

LEADERS
Johnston and Mascarello led the way offensively, each going 1-4 at the plate. Edwards and Roberts followed, individually going 1-3 at the plate, while Sargent was seen going 1-2 at the plate.
 
Pitcher Tyler Grey recorded four strikeouts over five innings, while Hank Simonds recorded two strikeouts over two innings.
 
GAME 2 | 13-2
The Bears gained speed at the start of game two, capturing an early lead. A Griffith hit-by-pitch and a clutch Johnston double to center put runners in scoring position, while an Edwards and Roberts walk combo gave TMU their first run, a Sargent hit by pitch added a second run and smart base running by Edwards scored run number three (3-0). Kokomo responded with a home run and single of their own, but a Sargent double and Jordan Kenty single kept TMU's momentum rolling (6-2). The bottom of the fourth started with a Johnston single paired with a Caleb Gentry hit-by-pitch to load the bases. A Sargent hit-by-pitch, followed by a clutch Jacob Karvelas double to center gave TMU a clear advantage (9-2), while the Bears capitalized in the bottom of the fifth. Three individual doubles by Mascarello, Matthew Redmond and Karvelas ultimately put the game out of reach as TMU ended the day with a 13-2 victory.
 
LEADERS
Johnston led the way offensively, going 3-5 at the plate with three runs, while Mascarello was seen going 2-3 at the plate with two runs. Karvelas followed up going 2-4 at the plate with four RBIs.
 
Pitcher Caleb Johnson recorded his third win of the season, striking out three over three innings. Pitcher Jarod Johnson had a sharp performance on the mound, while Marshall Hongkham recorded one strikeout in relief over one inning.

UP NEXT
The Bears remain in the TMU Baseball Complex tomorrow, Saturday February 11, for the final game of the series. Game time is set for 12:00 p.m.