CLEVELAND, Ga. -- The Bluefield College baseball team dropped its Appalachian Athletic Conference opener, Friday afternoon, falling to Truett-McConnell College by a 6-1 margin at Mize Field. The game was contested at TMC's home field, but Bluefield served as the home squad as the game had originally be scheduled to play at Bluefield.

Chris McCollister drove in what proved to be the Rams' sole run of the day in the bottom of the first. Shortstop Tyler Timmer led off the game with a single and advanced to third as Tyler Rome was hit by a pitch and Jacob Schober dropped a sacrifice bunt. McCollister then grounded out as well, but Timmer was able to score.

Alex Haas tossed the first five innings for Bluefield, holding the Bears scoreless until the third when a leadoff walk came around to score a TMC single.

Truett-McConnell added an unearned run in the fourth. Haas then faced three batters in the sixth, with the Bears scoring a pair of runs thanks to a walk and a pair of hits.

Dylan Cole came on in relief allowing two more come in, just one being to his credit and giving the Bears a 6-1 advantage. Cole tossed two innings, while Luke Harris and Trayvond Brooks each threw two scoreless frames to close the ballgame.

However, the Rams were stifled by the pitching from the Bears' Luke Henderson. Henderson tossed the complete game to earn the win, surrendering just seven hits.

Daniel Copeland went 3-for-4 at the plate, being the only Ram with multiple hits.

The Rams and Bears square off again tomorrow in a pair of seven-inning games, beginning at noon.