CIU Takes Series Finale, 11-7

SPARTANBURG, SC – After a three-run first inning by SMC, visiting CIU responded with nine runs over the next two innings to take an 11-7 win in the series finale on Saturday afternoon.

Spartanburg Methodist College (18-18, 11-10 AAC) jumped ahead early in the first on an RBI double by Elijah Franz, then added to its lead one batter later with a two-run home run by Brady Jeffcoat.

CIU (14-24, 11-12 AAC) was led by Eli Musgraves, who had three hits, as three different Rams recorded multiple hits. The Rams answered with five runs on four hits, aided by three Pioneer errors, to take a 5-3 lead in the second inning. The visitors added to their lead with four runs on two hits in the third inning.

Despite the six-run deficit, SMC got back on the scoreboard in the third inning on an RBI single by Dario Astudillo. The home team then added two more runs on a two-run home run by Jarian Pinckney to make it a 9-6 game.

Trailing by three in the bottom of the fourth, a one-out single by Franz sparked a rally for the Pioneers. He moved to second on a single up the middle by Blake Exizian, putting runners on first and second. Jeffcoat then walked on four pitches to load the bases. A Tanner Martin fielder's choice scored Franz to make it 9-7, but a groundout ended the threat with the bases loaded.

CIU plated insurance runs in the eighth and ninth innings for the final margin.

Offensively, the Pioneers were led by Franz, Exizian, Astudillo, Ty Harper, and Kohen Bridges, who each recorded two hits in the loss.

Next, SMC will host Toccoa Falls on Tuesday, April 7 at 5 p.m. Prior to the game, the Pioneers will honor their seniors.