DAYTON, Tenn. (March 14, 2024) - On Thursday, the Truett McConnell University baseball team hit the road to face Appalachian Athletic Conference opponent Bryan College, where the Bears split the series double header after finding success in game two (10-14, 12-11). TMU is now sitting at an overall record of 12-14, 5-8 AAC. 

GAME ONE | Battle of the Batters  

Game one saw major action on offense for both teams, starting with the Lions recording the first home runoff the day in the top of the first inning, followed by a single RBI to steal the lead (0-2). The Bears even the score in the top of the second inning, sparked by a Caleb Gentry RBI to score Jordan Kenty, followed by an Ethan Roberts RBI single to score Jacob Karvelas. TMU struck again in the top of the third as a Kenty sacrifice fly to center field scored Caleb Ramsey from third, while a misplayed ball hit my Karvelas offered the Bears their second opportunity to add to the lead (4-2). The fourth inning saw Bryan gain momentum an RBI double and two run home run, but the sixth inning proved in favor of TMU as a two run RBI single by Ramsey made the score 6-5, an RBI from Caleb Williams added to the advantage and a Mikal Mascarello homer made the score 8-5. Both teams added a single run in the eighth inning (9-7), followed by a Tanner Griffith sac fly in the ninth to put TMU up by three. With the final inning in play, the Lions ultimately came out on top with a late rally and grand slam to make the final score 10-14. 

LEADERS

Roberts led the way for the Bears going 3 for 4 at the plate, along with tallying two walks, one run and one RBI. Ramsey and Mascarello individually went 2 for 5 at the plate with two RBIs and one run, followed by Griffith who went 1 for 3 with one walk, one run and one RBI. 

GAME TWO | Home Run Derby 

TMU struck quick in the top of the first inning, as Roberts sharp base running earned the visiting team their first run of the day, followed by a misplayed ball hit by Mascarello to score Ramsey (2-0). Tanner Griffith singled to center eider and score Brant Pace, while the Lions tallied runs of their own in the second inning to steal the lead, featuring two home runs. The top of the third saw Ramsey get even with a homer of his own, followed by a Matthew Redmond home run in the top of the fourth, a Williams two run home run in the top of the fifth and a Roberts three run home run in the top of the fifth to even the score (10-10). Williams stayed hot in the sixth to record his second bomb of the day to steal the lead, while a Karvelas RBI single put TMU far enough ahead to maintain the advantage and clinch the victory with a score of 12-11. 

LEADERS

Williams dominated at the plate after going 4 for 5 with two runs and three RBIs. Roberts followed closely behind going 2 for 4 with two runs, one walk and three RBIs. Redmond went 1 for 3 with two runs, one walk and one RBI, while Brodie Center, Ramsey and Mascarello individually went 2 for 4 at the plate. 

UP NEXT

The Bears will face the Lions in the final game of the series on Saturday in Dayton, Tennessee, with game time set for 2:00 p.m.