The Carolina University Bruins baseball team split a midweek doubleheader against Averett University on Tuesday, February 24, in Danville, Virginia. The Bruins won the first game 7–5 but dropped the second contest 7–3.
In Game 1, Carolina’s offense produced ten hits. Ty Vespe and Peyton Banks each had RBI singles in the second inning to give the Bruins an early lead. Andres Hoyos extended the advantage with a three-run home run in the third inning. Hoyos added an RBI double in the fifth and an RBI single in the seventh, finishing with five RBIs for the game.
Matthew Kelley was credited with the win after pitching four innings and recording three strikeouts. Alex Prevost and Ray Collada pitched in relief before Abraham Leal secured the save.
Averett responded in Game 2 by defeating Carolina 7–3. After two scoreless innings, Chandler Smithart hit a solo home run to put Carolina ahead briefly. Averett scored four runs in their half of the third inning and added another run in the fifth. Despite scoring again in later innings, Carolina could not overcome Averett’s lead. Smithart led with two hits and two RBIs; Vespe contributed a hit and scored once.
Reflecting on the games, Associate Head Coach Logan Conklin said: “Overall, it was a competitive day for us coming off the momentum of the weekend sweep. We did a great job setting the tone in Game 1 with timely hitting and bullpen execution. In Game 2, we had opportunities but couldn’t capitalize consistently. Midweek games like this help us grow, and we’ll use the split to refocus as we head back into our next stretch.”
The Bruins participate in both conference and non-conference games throughout their season as part of NCAA Division III intercollegiate sports under Ohio Athletic Conference membership (official website). The team is based in Bexley, Ohio (official website) and emphasizes combining academics with athletics for its student-athletes (official website).
Carolina will host Wheeling University at Mando Field this weekend as they look to build on recent performances.
