BLUEFIELD, W.Va. – The Bluefield Rams dropped both games of Saturday's Appalachian Athletic Conference doubleheader against Spartanburg Methodist at Bowen Field.
Game One: Spartanburg Methodist 7 – Bluefield 6
BU built an early lead but could not hold on as Spartanburg Methodist rallied late to take the opener.
The Rams struck first in the opening inning as Michael Royston drove in Jordan Ramsey to make it 1–0. BU added three more in the third, highlighted by a three-run home run from Chris Johnson to extend the lead to 4–0.
Bluefield added two more runs in the sixth inning when Josh Holland delivered a two-RBI double, giving BU a 6–0 advantage.
Spartanburg Methodist answered in the seventh inning with a seven-run outburst, capitalizing on timely hitting and a key three-run triple from Elijah Franz to take a 7–6 lead.
Ramsey led the Rams with three hits, while Johnson finished with three RBIs on his home run. Holland added two RBIs, and Dylan Dotson recorded two hits as BU totaled 13 in the game.
Nick Duncan pitched into the seventh inning before Brent Avery took the loss in relief. Noah Burtner worked 2.1 innings out of the bullpen.
Game Two: Spartanburg Methodist 8 – Bluefield 7
Game Two featured another back-and-forth battle as BU rallied late but came up just short.
Spartanburg Methodist jumped out to a 3–0 lead in the first inning before the Rams responded quickly. Chris Johnson launched a two-run home run to cut the deficit to 3–2 in the bottom of the first.
After falling behind 5–2, BU again closed the gap in the fifth as Johnson connected for his second two-run home run of the game to make it 5–4.
The visitors extended their lead in the sixth, but Bluefield mounted a final rally in the seventh. Cody Crafton delivered a two-RBI single, and Dylan Dotson followed with an RBI single to bring the Rams within one at 8–7.
Johnson led BU with a 3-for-4 performance, two home runs, and four RBIs. Royston and Cherry each recorded two hits, while Crafton and Dotson combined for three RBIs.
Raymond Smith took the loss after allowing five runs over five innings. Brent Avery and Jaden Rose also appeared in relief.
The Rams return to action Tuesday for a doubleheader against Carolina at Bowen Field, with first pitch set for 3 p.m.
