BLUEFIELD, Va. -- Hiwassee College jumped on the Rams early en route to an 8-6 win in game one, and the Rams scored eight runs in a two-inning span to run away from the visiting Tigers in game two for the non-conference twinbill split on Wednesday at Bowen Field.
The 1-1 day moves Bluefield to 21-16. The Tigers meanwhile are 17-17.
Game 1Hiwassee, a fellow NCCAA program, raced out to a quick 8-0 lead through two innings thanks to nine early hits in addition to a couple of Bluefield errors.
The Rams tried to play catch up from there, but could not complete the comeback.
Chris McCollister sent his fourth homerun of the season over the left field fence in the third inning to score three runs, and
Tyler Timmer back him up with a solo shot to trim the deficit in half at 8-4.
The Rams' assortment of pitchers settled in over the final five frames, allowing just two more Tiger hits the rest of the way.
Dylan Cole retired Hiwassee in order in both the second and third frames, while Zach Tapia did the same in the fifth.
A
Ryan Lawson sacrifice fly pulled Bluefield within three, 8-5, in the fourth. Bluefield looked to add more in the fifth, but left the bases loaded. One more run crossed the plate in the bottom of the seventh as
Garrett Schilling's single scored Timmer, but a fly out and ground out ended the Rams' threat.
Cory Niten took the loss for Bluefield, allowing two runs in one inning of work. Zack Helms claimed the win, while Quinten Crowell picked up the save.
Game 2Hiwassee grabbed a 1-0 lead, but Bluefield claimed its first lead of the day with two runs in the second. A lead-off walk to Schober followed by a single from Will Kane placed the first two Rams on base. After a sacrifice bunt from Schilling,
Sawyer McLamb's sacrifice fly squared the game. Kane was awarded home on a balk.
Another sacrifice fly, this one from Timmer, plated another BC run in the third. Lawson was hit by a pitch to open the frame, then advanced to third on a stolen base and a wild throw from the Tigers' catcher to set up the sac fly.
Bluefield blew the game open with three runs in the fifth and five more in the sixth. Timmer sent his second home run of the day to left field, scoring three and giving BC a 6-3 edge.
Hiwassee came back with two runs in the sixth, but Bluefield sent 11 men to bat in the bottom half, scoring five runs on five hits and also taking advantage of an error.
Tyler Rome, Lawson, Timmer and Schober all tallied RBIs in the frame.
Head Coach
Mike White sent five Rams to the mound in the finale, with
Chaz Miller picking up his sixth win of the season. he tossed two innings, striking out six Tigers.
Trayvond Brooks tossed the opening two frames, while
Luke Harris,
Alex Haas and
Seth Dewey each worked one inning.
Jordan Norton took the loss for Hiwassee.
Timmer led the Rams in game two, going 2-for-3 with a career-high five RBI in the game. The rest of Bluefield's hits were scattered amongst seven Rams.
Bluefield returns to action on Saturday, hosting Appalachian Athletic Conference opponent Point University in a doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m.
