ATHENS, Tenn. (February 18, 2023) – The Truett McConnell University baseball team traveled to face Appalachian Athletic Conference opponent, No. 3 Tennessee Wesleyan University, where the Bears fell by slim margins after collecting an early lead in game one (1-3), while a late hot streak on offense was not enough for the Bears to take down the Bulldogs (8-12). TMU falls to a record of 8-5, 0-3 AAC, while the Bulldogs rise to 9-0, 3-0 AAC.

GAME 1 | 1-3

Both teams were even in play featuring a pitcher's duel with Jacob Adams on the mound, keeping the Bulldogs silent for five innings. In the top of the sixth, the Bears sparked the inning with a Dylan Sargent walk, followed by a Jacob Karvelas single to put runners on the corner. A sacrifice fly from Mikal Mascarello saw TMU hit the board first, but a strong inning from the Bulldogs quickly stole the lead (1-3). The remainder of the game saw TMU sharp on defense with stellar pitching performances from Marshall Hongkham and Phillip Braswell, but was not enough as the Bears fell, 1-3.

LEADERS
Karvelas led the way offensively, going 1-3 at the plate, while Mascarello recorded one RBI.

Adams tossed five electric innings, recording eight strikeouts and only allowing four hits. Hongkham made his appearance on the mound with one recorded strikeout.

GAME 2 | 8-12
In game two, the Bears were slow to start seeing the Bulldogs on the board early with a two-run home run (0-2). TMU worked hard in the top of the third with a single from Karvelas paired with an Ethan Roberts walk. A stolen base from Roberts moved him into scoring position, but TMU was unable to capitalize. A strong third inning from the Bulldogs saw nine runs from 10 hits, raising the Bulldogs' lead 0-11. The Bears went to work in the top of the fifth with a Matthew Redmond walk and Gage Gray single to put runners in scoring position. A Karvelas walk loaded the bases combined with a clutch single from Roberts and double from Tanner Griffith to put TMU on the board (3-11). TMU concluded the inning with a fielder's choice hit from Mascarello to add to the score (4-11). The Bulldogs responded with a lone run, while the Bears sparked a pivotal sixth inning (4-12). A Gray single to left followed by Karvelas capitalizing on a defensive error once again had runners in scoring position. A Roberts single to third base combined with a double from Griffith and Andrew Johnston single raised TMU's score (8-12). Pitcher Bradley Chatham kept the Bulldogs quiet to close the game, but TMU was unable to retaliate as they fell to a score of 8-12. 

LEADERS
Griffith led the way offensively, going 3-4 at the plate with four RBIs and one run, while Roberts was 2-3 at the plate with two RBIs and two runs. Gray was seen going 2-4 at the plate, while Johnston was 1-4 with one RBI.

Pitcher John James recorded three strikeouts, while only allowing one hit over two innings. Tyler Gray and Chatham recorded two strikeouts on the day.

UP NEXT
The Bears return to the TMU Baseball Complex on Tuesday, February 21 for an AAC match-up against Columbia International University. Game time is set for 3:00 p.m.