BLUEFIELD, W.Va. -Â The Bluefield Rams closed out their four-game series against Ohio Christian on Friday at Bowen Field, picking up a pair of wins to secure the series.
Game One: Bluefield 3 – Ohio Christian 2
BU edged Ohio Christian in a tightly contested opener, using a late sixth-inning rally to secure the win.
Josh Holland gave BU an early spark with a solo home run in the third inning. After Ohio Christian tied the game at 1-1, the Rams broke through in the sixth. Dylan Dotson singled and later scored, and Evan Leese added a pinch-hit single before Michael Royston delivered the decisive blow with a two-RBI double to left-center to put BU ahead 3-1.
Ohio Christian added a run in the seventh, but Brandon Poole and Noah Burtner combined to close it out. Poole earned the win with a scoreless sixth inning, and Burtner recorded the save.
Riley Ruiz started and allowed just one earned run over five innings of work. Royston finished with two RBIs and a double, while Dotson and Jordan Ramsey each recorded hits in the victory.
Game Two: Bluefield 6 – Ohio Christian 2
BU completed the sweep of the day with a strong offensive showing in the nightcap.
The Rams scored in the first inning on an RBI single from Nick Stergiou before Royston doubled home a run in the second. After Ohio Christian tied the game at 2-2, BU regained control in the fourth and then broke the game open in the sixth.
With two runners on, Stergiou launched a three-run home run down the left-field line to give BU a 6-2 advantage. Stergiou finished with four RBIs and two hits to lead the offense. Chris Johnson added three hits, including a double, while Sean Cherry and Dylan Dotson each contributed hits as BU totaled 10 on the afternoon.
On the mound, Raymond Smith Jr. worked four innings to earn the win, allowing two runs while striking out four. Brent Avery followed with three shutout innings in relief to seal the victory.
BU improves to 5-2 overall and now turns its attention to conference play.
The Rams open AAC action on the road at Johnson Friday at 3 p.m.
