CLEVELAND, Ga. — The Bryan College baseball team secured a hard-fought series victory over Truett McConnell, taking two of three games in Appalachian Athletic Conference play. The Lions rallied late in both of their wins before dropping the series finale on Saturday.
Game 1: Bryan 7, Truett McConnell 5
The Lions opened the series with a clutch 7-5 victory, using a seventh-inning rally to claim the win.
Key Performances:
- Dante Morton: 2-for-5, home run, double, 4 RBIs
- W. Curcio: 2-for-3, 3 runs scored
- J. Sabo: 2-for-2, RBI, key seventh-inning sacrifice
- Drew Walker (W, 1-0): 6.0 IP, 5 H, 4 R (2 ER), 3 K
- T. Everett (S, 1): 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB
Game Breakdown:
- Early Lead: Bryan took a 3-1 lead in the third inning behind Morton's two-run homer.
- Mid-Game Battle: The Lions added a run in the fifth, but Truett McConnell's four-run sixth put them in front 5-4.
- Seventh-Inning Rally: Morton came through again with a two-run double, followed by a sacrifice fly from J. Morris to give Bryan the lead.
- Lockdown Finish: Everett shut the door in the ninth to seal the win.
Game 2: Bryan 7, Truett McConnell 5
Another late-game push lifted Bryan to victory in Game 2, as the Lions used a four-run seventh inning to complete the comeback.
Key Performances:
- Cameron Cook: 3-for-4, 2 RBIs, solo home run
- Chris Campos: 1-for-3, RBI, game-winning sacrifice fly
- Gavin Warden: 3 RBIs, including a two-run pop-up that extended Bryan's lead
- Dante Morton: 1-for-4, double, run scored
- Trey Johnson (W, 1-0): 4.2 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 5 K
- Jacob Almon (S, 1): 2.1 IP, 2 H, 2 ER, 1 K
Game Breakdown:
- Early Deficit: Truett McConnell took a 3-1 lead after two innings, but Cook's solo homer kept Bryan close.
- Chipping Away: Warden cut the deficit to one in the sixth with a sacrifice fly.
- Big Seventh Inning: Bryan exploded for four runs, capitalizing on a wild pitch and clutch hits from Warden and Campos.
- Holding On: The Bears plated two runs in the eighth, but Almon closed out the win.
Game 3: Truett McConnell 7, Bryan 4
Bryan fell in the series finale on Saturday, despite an early lead and a strong effort at the plate from Cameron Ramsey and Dante Morton.
Key Performances:
- Cameron Ramsey: 3-for-4, 1 run
- Dante Morton: 1-for-4, solo home run
- C. Campos: 2-for-4, RBI
Game Breakdown:
- Fast Start: Bryan struck first with two runs in the opening inning.
- Bears Respond: Truett McConnell answered with a five-run first inning to take control.
- Lions Battle Back: Morton's solo homer in the fourth cut the deficit to one run at 5-4.
- Late Push Falls Short: The Bears added two more insurance runs in the sixth, holding off Bryan's final rally.
What's Next?
With the series win, Bryan improves to 12-14 overall and 8-6 in AAC play. The Lions head to Faulkner University Wednesday at 4:00 PM
