MASON, Ohio -- Bluefield plated a pair of runs in the second inning, but Palm Beach Atlantic scored four in the third to hand the Rams a 4-2 loss in their opening game of pool play at the NCCAA World Series.
Bluefield (26-27) continues pool play on Thursday with a doubleheader, opening against No. 1 seed and defending World Series champions Fresno Pacific University at 1 p.m. and finishing with No. 8 seed Toccoa Falls at 4 p.m.
Palm Beach Atlantic (27-26) put together a 2-0 day, picking up a 16-2 win over Central Baptist College in one of the tournament's opening games.
After both teams were retired in order in the first inning, Bluefield scored two in the second inning.
Sawyer McLamb and
Garrett Schilling provided back-to-back one out singles.
Nic Ratliff then followed with a fielder's choice, and advanced to second on an errant throw to first. McLamb scored on the error. Dan Copeland knocked in Ratliff on the third single of the inning for the 2-0 lead.
The Sailfish then figured out starter
Dylan Ruth in the third inning, piecing together three hits and scoring four runs in the frame. A sacrifice fly scored the first run, while a two-out single plated two more to place PBA in front. A double to right-center followed to score another, but a runner was thrown out at the plate as Schilling pulled in McLamb's throw and made the swiping tag.
Zach Tapia came on in relief in the fourth inning, and closed out the game for the Rams, allowing Palm Beach Atlantic just one base runner the rest of the way.
The Rams looked to rally in the eighth, but came up empty.
Tyler Rome and
Ryan Lawson opened the frame with a pair of singles, but three-straight groundouts got the Sailfish out of the inning unscathed.
Bluefield was retired in order in its final at-bat, taking the 4-2 defeat.
Ruth (1-7) took the loss, allowing four runs on four hits in three innings of work. Tapia tossed five innings, allowing just one hit, striking out two and giving up no walks.
The Sailfish were led by Kyle Polaski's outing, as he went the distance. He gave up seven hits to BC, but limited the Rams to just two runs, both being unearned.
Schilling had two hits on the day to lead the Rams at the plate.
Live video and stats are available for all games at the NCCAA World Series. For more information visit Bluefield's World Series page.
