Carolina University Bruins Baseball secured a series win against IU Columbus after sweeping both games of Saturday’s doubleheader at Mando Field in Mocksville, North Carolina. The victories came after the teams split their first two games on Friday.
In the first game, Carolina posted a 4-0 shutout over IU Columbus. Early scoring in the bottom of the first inning gave the Bruins an advantage that they maintained throughout the contest. Danny Gonzalez hit a solo home run, while Leland Brown and Miles Tavarez contributed with runs batted in. Starting pitcher Paxton Tucker delivered five scoreless innings, striking out eight batters and allowing only two hits. Relievers Alex Prevost and Abraham Leal combined to close out the game, holding IU Columbus to just three total hits.
The second game saw an increase in offense from both sides, but Carolina pulled away for a 12-7 win. After falling behind early, the Bruins responded with six runs in the third inning. Chandler Smithart led offensively with a home run and four RBIs; Chase Lee added three RBIs and several extra-base hits as part of an 11-hit effort by Carolina. Tanner Buteau earned the win as part of a pitching staff that managed to contain IU Columbus’ late rally attempts.
Associate Head Coach Logan Conklin commented on his team’s performance: “I’m proud of the way our guys bounced back and competed today. After splitting yesterday, it was important for us to come out focused and finish the series strong. We got quality innings on the mound, played solid defense, and had timely hits up and down the lineup. It’s a great step forward for this group as we continue to grow early in the season.”
With these wins, Carolina claims momentum ahead of its next scheduled game against Averett University on Tuesday at Mando Field.
The Carolina University Bruins Baseball Team participates in both conference and non-conference games each season as listed on their official website. The program contributes to its university’s athletic tradition while promoting academic integration for student-athletes under NCAA Division III rules (source). The team is based in Bexley, Ohio and competes as part of intercollegiate sports within the Ohio Athletic Conference (source).
