South Winston Salem News

The Carolina University Bruins were defeated in a three-game series by Columbia International University (CIU) at Rich Park. CIU emerged victorious in all three matches.

In the first game, CIU secured a 16-6 win, driven by 20 hits. The Rams scored five runs in the fifth inning and four more in the ninth to clinch their victory. Despite home runs from Alexis Fontanez, Randy De Maio, and Robbie Smith for Carolina, they could not close the gap.

For Carolina, notable performances included:

- Alexis Fontanez: 3-for-5, HR, 2 RBIs

- Randy De Maio: 1-for-3, HR, 2 RBIs

- Robbie Smith: 2-for-5, HR, 2 RBIs

CIU's standout players were:

- M. Turner: 3-for-6, 5 RBIs, HR

- T. Williams: 4-for-6, HR, 3 RBIs

- G. Peeler: 4-for-6, HR, 4 RBIs

In the second game of Saturday's doubleheader, CIU continued their offensive dominance with a decisive 19-1 victory. They scored nine runs in the third inning alone. Carolina's sole run came from a sacrifice fly by Maio that drove in Martinez.

Key players for this game included:

Carolina:

- Randy Maio: Sacrifice fly for the only RBI

- Jacob Ananias: 1-for-3

CIU:

- T. Williams: 3-for-5, HR, 6 RBIs

- G. Peeler: 3-for-4, HR, 4 RBIs

The series concluded with a closer contest as CIU won the final game with a score of 4-2. Carolina held a brief lead until CIU rallied with three runs in the seventh inning to take control of the match. Danny Gonzalez hit a solo home run for Carolina while starting pitcher Caden Ross managed five scoreless innings before being relieved.

Notable performances from this game included:

Carolina:

- Danny Gonzalez: 1-for-3, HR, RBI

- Caden Ross: Pitched five scoreless innings

Elias Nurideen also contributed with a stolen base.

CIU's top contributors were:

K. Smith and E. Doyon who collectively drove key plays that led to their team's success.

Despite these losses against CIU showing moments of strong play especially from power hitters and pitchers like Caden Ross on mound duty – highlights offering hope as they aim for redemption next match scheduled at Bluefield University coming Tuesday March twenty-fifth."