This past weekend, Carolina University baseball hosted Bluefield University for an exciting game at Truist Stadium and two-game series at Rich Park. Carolina took two out of three games, improving their season record to 5-9, while Bluefield dropped to 1-17.

Game 1 - Bluefield 17, Carolina 4

The series opener on March 7th saw Bluefield dominate Carolina with a decisive 17-4 victory. Bluefield's offense erupted early, scoring eight runs in the first three innings and maintaining pressure throughout the game. J. Germosen and N. Diaz were offensive standouts for Bluefield, with Germosen hitting a home run and a triple, while Diaz added a double and multiple RBIs. Carolina's pitching staff struggled to contain the Bluefield lineup, with Derek Martinez taking the loss after giving up eight runs, four of them earned.

Carolina's attempts to rally were led by Paxton  Tucker and A. Delgado, but Bluefield's pitching, anchored by G. Peel, limited Carolina's opportunities. Peel threw six strong innings, allowing only three runs while striking out five.

Key Players:
Carolina:

• Paxton Tucker: 2-for-4 with a double and 2 runs scored.
• Chase Lee: 1-for-3 with an RBI single.

Bluefield State:

• J. Germosen: 3-for-5 with a home run, triple, 3 RBIs, and 3 runs scored.
• N. Diaz: 3-for-3 with a double, 2 RBIs, and 3 runs scored.

Game 2 - Carolina 4, Bluefield 2

Carolina responded on March 8th, winning a tight 4-2 contest. Kaleb Whitaker delivered an impressive pitching performance for Carolina, throwing a complete game and allowing only two hits while striking out eight batters. Despite defensive errors, Carolina's offense managed to produce timely hits, with Paxton Tucker and Alejandro Rodriguez driving in runs. Bluefield's J. Brower took the loss, despite keeping the game close until Carolina added insurance runs late.

Key Players:
Carolina:

• Kaleb Whitaker: Complete game, 7 innings, 2 runs on 2 hits, 8 strikeouts.
• Paxton Tucker: 2-for-4 with an RBI and a stolen base.
• Alejandro Rodriguez: 1-for-2 with a double, 2 walks, and a run scored.

Bluefield State:

• A. Scarberry: 1-for-3 with an RBI single.
• A. Moreno: 1-for-3 with a double and a run scored.

Game 3 - Carolina 8, Bluefield 6

The final game of the series saw Carolina secure a thrilling 8-6 victory, clinching the series. Danny Gonzalez was the star of the game for Carolina, blasting a three-run home run in the first inning to give his team an early lead. Bluefield countered with a four-run third inning, fueled by N. Diaz's grand slam. However, Carolina regained control in the fourth and fifth innings, adding five runs to create enough separation to hold off Bluefield's late-game surge.

Alex Prevost picked up the win for Carolina, while Jamie Winecoff closed out the final innings. Bluefield's W. Ricketts took the loss, giving up eight runs (three earned) over 4.1 innings.

Key Players:
Carolina:

• Danny Gonzalez: 2-for-3 with a three-run home run and 3 RBIs.
• Alexis Fontanez: 2-for-4 with 2 runs scored.
• Alex Prevost: 1.2 innings pitched, no hits or runs allowed, 3 strikeouts.

Bluefield State:

• N. Diaz: 1-for-2 with a grand slam and 4 RBIs.
• J. Germosen: 1-for-4 with 2 RBIs and a double.

Carolina's series victory over Bluefield University showcased strong performances from key players in each game, with solid pitching and timely hitting helping them bounce back after a tough opening loss. The series win pushes Carolina's record to 5-9 as they look to build on their momentum heading into the rest of the season.

Up Next: 
Carolina University will look to continue their momentum as they face Columbia International University on Wednesday, March 12th at 1:00 PM at Rich Park.