Dayton, TN - The Bryan College baseball team defeated Kentucky Christian University 17 to 6 Monday afternoon to cap off a 3 game series sweep. Easter weekend caused a bit of a schedule shift as Bryan headed to Grayson, KY for Games 1 & 2 of the series last Thursday. The Lions' big 9th inning gave Bryan a 22-10 win in game 1 and followed it up with a 7-2 win in game 2 of the doubleheader. 
After the series the Lions are 20-14 overall and 11-9 in conference. The sweep moves Bryan up to 5th in the AAC Baseball Standings.

Game 1
In a game filled with twists and turns, the Bryan College Lions emerged victorious over Kentucky Christian with a final score of 22-10. 
The game started strong for the Lions, with D. Gregg (4-7, 4 RBIs) hitting a two run home run to start off the first inning. That would be Gregg's 10th HR of the season. Kentucky Christian quickly responded, narrowing the gap in their half of the inning. However, the Lions extended their lead in the second inning with base hits and capitalized on a wild pitch to make the score 5-1.

Kentucky Christian wasn't going down without a fight, rallying in the second and third innings to not only catch up but to take the lead, turning the scoreboard to 7-5 in their favor by the end of the third inning. Their lead extended to 8-5 by the sixth inning, putting pressure on the Lions.

But the Lions had a comeback in the works. In the seventh inning, they clawed back two runs, and then in the eighth, they pulled off a spectacular turnaround, scoring three runs to take the lead at 10-9. Kentucky Christian managed to add one more run to their tally in the eighth, keeping the game within reach.

However, the ninth inning belonged to the Lions. They unleashed an offensive onslaught, scoring a whopping ten runs, including a crucial double by D. Gregg and a three-run homer by D. Morton, effectively sealing the win.

Kentucky Christian managed to score one last run in the ninth, but it was too late. The game ended with the Bryan College Lions standing tall with a 20-10 triumph, a testament to their determination, skill, and team spirit. This game was a roller coaster of emotions and momentum shifts, culminating in a memorable win for the Lions.
Clay Smith (3-1) would earn the win for the Lions.

Game 2
In the early innings of the game between Bryan College and Kentucky Christian, both teams showed strong defense, leading to a scoreless start. Bryan's team managed to get on base a few times but couldn't capitalize in the first few innings, with players striking out and getting caught on base.

The game's first run came in the top of the 4th when Bryan started to find their rhythm. After Daniel Dryden was hit by a pitch and stole second, Kade Cohoon and Logan Stradley each contributed RBI singles, pushing Bryan ahead by two runs.

Kentucky Christian struggled to respond in the bottom of the 4th, managing only a single hit and getting a player picked off first. Bryan extended their lead in the 5th with D. Morton's solo home run to left center, making it 3-0.

As the game progressed to the 6th inning, Bryan's offense broke through again, capitalizing on errors by Kentucky Christian to score four more runs. Tyler Cullen's homer, bringing in three runs, was the highlight, pushing the score to 7-0.

However, Kentucky Christian showed signs of life in the bottom of the 6th, scoring their first runs thanks to T. Martin's triple and a wild pitch, making the score 7-2.
In the following innings, both teams had opportunities, but the defenses held strong, leaving runners stranded on base. Bryan managed to get hits but couldn't add to their lead, while Kentucky Christian squeezed out a single run but couldn't close the gap further.

Throughout the game, both teams displayed moments of potential, with Bryan taking advantage of key hits and Kentucky Christian trying to mount a comeback. However, Bryan's early lead, bolstered by strategic hits and taking advantage of their opponents' mistakes, ultimately set the tone for the game.
David Walker (3-3) would take the Win on a great day on the mound. 6.0 IP, 7 Strikeouts and only 2 hits given up. Jacob Almon would close things out in the 9th, going four up, three down. 


Game 3
In the first inning of game 3 between Bryan College and Kentucky Christian, the game started quietly with both teams unable to score despite Bryan getting a runner to third. Kentucky Christian managed to sneak in a run in the bottom of the first thanks to some strategic baserunning and a key single by L. Guevara.

Bryan responded aggressively in the top of the second. After Bradley Prince was hit by a pitch and a couple of singles and walks filled the bases, Tyler Cullen doubled, bringing in two runs. A wild pitch allowed two more runs to score, and Bryson Lofton's single added another, making it 4-1 for Bryan.

KCU couldn't respond in the bottom of the second, going down in order. The momentum stayed with Bryan into the third inning. A series of walks loaded the bases before Tyler Cullen walked to bring in a run.. Lofton then hit a three-RBI double, widening the gap to 8-1.

By the top of the fourth, Bryan extended their lead even further. Daniel Dryden's three-run homer pushed the score to 11-1. Kentucky Christian tried to claw back in the bottom of the fourth with A. Markwell hitting a three-run homer, making it 11-4.

Bryan wasn't done, though. In the fifth, Cade Cook's triple brought in two more runs. Kentucky Christian answered with Y. Rivera's two-run homer in the bottom of the fifth, trying to close the gap at 13-6.

However, Bryan continued to press. In the sixth, T.C.'s RBI double brought the score to 14-6. The game moved into the later innings with both teams' defenses tightening up, but Bryan managed to score three more unearned runs in the eighth thanks to errors and a hit, bringing their total to 17.

Kentucky Christian couldn't mount a comeback in the remaining innings, with the Bryan defense holding strong and their pitchers striking out several batters to end any threat.

The game ended with Bryan taking a commanding win, showing a mix of power hitting and taking full advantage of opportunities given to them by Kentucky Christian's mistakes.

Tanner Everett(1-0) would earn the win in game three going 2.1 IP, 2 strikeouts, only allowing 1 hit. Cameron Harvey went 3.2 IP, 4 strikeouts and only gave up 3 hits. Jacob Almon and Jared Price both delivered, pitching an inning a piece. Almon had 2 strikeouts, 0 hits, and 0 walks. Price would hand out 3 strikeouts to finish out the Knights. 

Next Time out: 
Bryan will be at home Friday 4/5  at 3:00 PM to face off against the #2 ranked Georgia Gwinnett Grizzlies in a two game series. 

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