BLUEFIELD, Va. -- After dropping the opener to Point University by a  3-2 margin, the Rams faced another one-run deficit in the seventh inning of game two, but a two-out, two-run homerun from
Tyler Timmer earned Bluefield a walkoff 4-3 win and a Saturday split in the Appalachian Athletic Conference matchup at Bowen Field.
The Rams (22-17, 6-12 AAC) were outhit by a 9-4 margin in game one as Point (18-24, 10-10 AAC) claimed the narrow victory.
Sawyer McLamb had an RBI-single in the second while
Jacob Schober drove in Timmer with an RBI-double in the sixth to round out Bluefield's scoring in game one.
However, Josh Nestlehutt (4-2) held the Rams in check through 5.1 innings and Kyle Lorow closed the final 1.2 innings without allowing a baserunner. Starter
Alex Haas (3-5) took the loss, allowing two runs in 3.1 innings of work.
Garrett Schilling earned Bluefield a 1-0 lead in the first, as Timmer scored on the catcher's single. Point answered with a two-run homer in the second and added an unearned run in the fourth for a 3-1 advantage.
Bluefield pieced together three singles to open up the sixth. After a base knock from Schober and a bunt single from Schilling, Will Kane added the third-straight hit and pulled Bluefield within one. The Rams looked to continue the rally, but Point got out of the inning with a double-play and a groundout.
Dylan Ruth served as the Rams' fourth pitcher of the second game, holding the Skyhawks in the seventh inning.
Pinch hitting,
Tyler Rome opened the bottom of the seventh by reaching on a walk. A sacrifice bunt advanced Rome to second, but a strikeout put BC's backs against the wall. But, then Timmer launched his team-leading fifth home run of the season over the left field wall for the walk-off 4-3 win.
Ruth (1-2) secured the win for the Rams.
Kaleb Houchins tossed four innings as the starter, allowing three runs--two earned--while striking out five in four innings of work. Zach Tapia and
Luke Harris each tossed a frame, with just one Skyhawk reaching between the two.
Bluefield and Point close the series on Sunday afternoon in a nine-inning game. First pitch is slated for 1 p.m.