CLEVELAND, Ga. (April 15, 2023) – The Truett McConnell University baseball team hosted Appalachian Athletic Conference foe Johnson University for a double-header inside the TMU Baseball Complex, where the Bears saw an explosive offense to secure game one (8-2) followed by a clutch pitching rotation in game two (9-3). TMU rises to a record of 30-10, 15-6 AAC, while the Royals fall to a record of 5-39, 4-23 AAC.
GAME 1 | 8-2
Both teams were even in play when the bottom of the third was sparked by a Tanner Griffith single and Andrew Johnston walk. Smart base running resulted in a double steal from Griffith and Johnston to move runners into scoring position, followed by a single from Ethan Roberts to push TMU's first runs across the board (2-0). An electric fourth inning featured a Caleb Williams single, a Jake Edwards walk, and a single from Griffith to raise the score (3-0). With bases loaded, Johnston stepped up to record a clutch grand slam to propel the Bears out of reach of the Royals (7-0). TMU continued to tack on runs in the bottom of the fifth with a Matthew Redmond double paired with a Griffith single to right field (8-0). In the top of the seventh, the Royals were able to record two runs on four hits but were unable to close the margin, giving TMU an 8-2 victory.
LEADERS
Griffith led the way offensively, going 4-4 at the plate with two RBIs and two runs while Johnston was 3-3 at the plate with four RBIs and two runs. Roberts was seen going 2-4 at the plate with two RBIs while Caleb Williams was 2-4 at the plate with one run.
Pitcher Caleb Johnson recorded the win after dealing through seven innings and recording two strikeouts. Jacob Adams shut the Royals down over two innings with one strikeout.
GAME 2 | 9-3
In game two, the Royals were first to score in the top of the second recording one run on one hit to gather an early lead (0-1). The Bears quickly responded in the bottom of the second with a solo home run from Mikal Mascarello to even the score (1-1). A single from Roberts and sacrifice bunt from Dylan Sargent moved the runner into scoring position. A single to right field from Jakob Karvelas pushed the runner across to give TMU the lead (2-1). Both teams were evenly matched until the Royals evened the score in the top of the sixth, recording one run on two hits (2-2). The bottom of the sixth saw the tides turn as the Bears' offensive rally was sparked by another solo home run from Mascarello (3-2). A Sargent hit by pitch paired with Karvelas capitalizing on defensive errors continued to raise the Bears' score (4-2). A double to right field from Johnston and a double to left field from Mascarello continued to create a large margin (8-2). Back-to-back walks for Roberts and Gage Gray collected TMU's final run of the day (9-2). The top of the seventh saw the Royals fight back and record one run on two hits but was not enough as TMU collected the series sweep over the Royals (9-3).
LEADERS
Mascarello led the way offensively, going 3-4 at the plate with four RBIs and two runs while Johnston was 2-4 at the plate with one RBI. Roberts was seen going 2-3 at the plate with one run while Griffith was 1-3 at the plate with one run.
Pitcher Jonathan Joiner collected the win after recording one strikeout over an inning. Andrew Fry recorded three strikeouts over three innings while John James tallied two strikeouts over two innings.
UP NEXT
The Bears remain in the TMU Baseball Complex on Tuesday, April 18 for a non-conference match-up against Toccoa Falls College. Game time is set for 5:00 p.m.
