CLEVELAND, Ga. (February 11, 2023) – The Truett McConnell University baseball team hosted Indiana Kokomo University for a non-conference match-up inside the TMU Baseball Complex. The Bears recorded 23 hits, featuring three home runs combined with stellar defense to secure a 20-19 victory over the Cougars. TMU rises to a record of 8-2, while the Cougars fall to 4-2.
PLAY-BY-PLAY
The Cougars took an early lead after scoring three runs in the first inning (0-3). The Bears responded with a Tanner Griffith double, followed by singles from Andrew Johnston and Mikal Mascarello to put runners in scoring position. Consecutive singles from Jake Edwards, Ethan Roberts and Matthew Redmond combined for six hits to steal the lead (6-3). The bottom of the third saw a Griffith double and Johnston single to push another run across the plate, paired with a Mascarello single to put runners in scoring position. A clutch three-run homerun from Edwards propelled the Bears forward, raising the score to 10-3. The Cougars had an electric fourth and sixth inning, recording seven hits and scoring seven runs to push past the Bears (10-16). The bottom of the seventh sparked TMU's hope starting with a Caleb Williams double. A single from Johnston pushed across Williams, followed by a Mascarello and Edwards single to load the bases. A hit from Roberts resulted in an execution to tack on another run. A clutch Jacob Karvelas single to left field brought TMU within range (14-16). The Cougars broke away by tallying three runs on three hits in the top of the eighth (14-19). A pivotal inning for the Bears was sparked by a solo shot from Dylan Sargent, combined with a Williams single and Grifiith walk. Johnston came up big with a three-run blast to right field, bringing the Bears within one (18-19). TMU continued to rally with a Mascarello double and Roberts single making the score even, while the inning concludes with a Matthew Redmond sacrifice fly to score Roberts and give the Bears the lead (20-19). In the top of the ninth, Ethan Roberts showed his skills by making a catch of a lifetime as he robbed the Cougars of tying the game by catching a ball hit over the centerfield fence. With two outs to go, a sharp performance from the mound by Reece Blackiston kept IUK at bat, as the Bears ultimately proved victorious over the Cougars.
LEADERS
Johnston led the way offensively, going 5-5 at the plate with five RBIs and four runs. Mascarello was seen going 4-6 at the plate with one RBI and four runs. Edwards followed, going 3-6 at the plate and tallying four RBIs. Karvelas went 2-5 at the plate and tacked on two RBIs.
Pitcher Andrew Fry recorded his first win of the season, recording two strikeouts and one hit over a single inning. An impressive mound performance from Jacob Adams saw four strikeouts and four hits over three innings, while Blackiston closed out the game.
UP NEXT
The Bears hit the road to Athens, Tennessee on Friday, February 17 for their first Appalachian Athletic Conference match-up against Tennessee Wesleyan University. Game time is TBD.
