COLUMBIA, S.C. — Bryan College baseball wrapped up a turbulent three-game weekend series at Columbia International University on Saturday, finishing 1-2 against the Rams on the road. The series featured explosive offense on both sides, but the Lions ultimately could not prevent CIU from taking the series.

Game 1: Lions Explode for 20 in Friday Blowout
Bryan 20, CIU 7 — Friday, Feb. 27

Bryan College opened the series in resounding fashion, battering CIU pitching for 20 runs and 16 hits in a dominant Friday evening win that pushed the Lions to 9-7 on the season.

The Lions got on the board early when Cyrus Campos scored on a first-inning fielder's choice, and never really looked back. Bryan poured on four unearned runs in the third inning thanks to a pair of CIU fielding errors, and then broke the game wide open with a six-run fifth inning. The big blow came from Logan Stradley, who launched a two-run home run to left field to push the lead to 8-2. Will Curcio added a two-RBI single in the same frame.

If there was any doubt about the outcome, the Lions erased it with an eight-run ninth inning that turned a 12-6 cushion into a 20-6 rout. Morgan Halliday doubled home two runs in the ninth and finished the game with four RBI on the day. Campos was equally brilliant, going 4-for-6 with two doubles, two triples, and two RBI — a performance that had to delight the Lions coaching staff.

Starter Tanner Everett picked up the win (2-0), turning in five solid innings and holding CIU to four earned runs.

Game 2: Rams Dominate Morning Doubleheader Opener
CIU 19, Bryan 11 — Saturday, Feb. 28 (Game 2)

Saturday's first game was a wild back-and-forth affair that ultimately swung CIU's way in commanding fashion. The Rams jumped out to a 5-0 lead through three innings before Bryan answered with a stunning six-run fourth — headlined by a grand slam from Morgan Halliday and a two-run shot from Cyrus Campos — to take a 6-5 lead.

But CIU refused to fold. The Rams stormed back to take an 8-6 advantage in the fifth, only for Bryan to roar ahead 10-8 with a four-run sixth on an RBI single from Jayron Morris and a sacrifice fly from Denajh Williams.

Then CIU's offense simply took over. The Rams plated six runs in the bottom of the sixth to go back ahead for good, then added five more in the eighth to put the game out of reach. D. Sidoti was the story for CIU, going 4-for-5 with three doubles and five RBI. J. Greene added three RBI, and K. Smith doubled home two key runs.

Bryan's pitching staff struggled, surrendering 15 earned runs and issuing 10 walks, with six hit batters compounding the problems. Logan Sullivan took the loss (0-1) after allowing six runs in the sixth inning.

Game 3: CIU Wins the Series with Late Afternoon Victory
CIU 10, Bryan 1 — Saturday, Feb. 28 (Game 3)

The rubber game of the series went decisively to CIU, as the Rams' M. Geisel turned in a dominant seven-inning complete game, limiting Bryan to just two hits and one run while striking out four. It was a sharp contrast to the offensive fireworks of the first two games.

CIU erupted for five runs in the first inning, capitalizing on wild pitches and timely hitting to chase Bryan starter Joshua Leek after just one-third of an inning. J. Greene delivered the big blow — a two-run single through the left side. The Rams tacked on three more in the second, and Bryan never seriously threatened.

The Lions' only run came in the fifth, when Cade Cook reached on a single, advanced to third on a wild pitch, and scored on a groundout by Logan Stradley.

Bryan used five pitchers in the shortened seven-inning game, with the bullpen combining to allow 10 runs on 13 hits and four walks while also hitting four CIU batters. CIU's K. Smith and I. D'Amico led the offense with three hits apiece.

Bryan finishes the weekend at 9-9 overall and 4-2 in conference play, having taken Friday's series opener in convincing style before dropping both ends of Saturday's doubleheader. The Lions' offense showed the ability to create big innings — they scored 20 runs in Game 1 and 11 in Game 2 — but pitching and defense proved costly, particularly on Saturday.

Morgan Halliday was Bryan's offensive standout across the series, driving in runs in all three games and providing the grand slam that temporarily flipped Game 2. Cyrus Campos also had a standout weekend, collecting clutch extra-base hits including two triples in the Friday blowout.

Bryan will look to regroup as their season continues. They will host Lindsey Wilson in a non conference match up on Tuesday.