WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — After erupting for 47 runs in last weekend's series on the road, Carolina University Baseball returned home Friday night looking to keep the momentum rolling. Instead, the Bruins dropped a tightly contested 5-4 decision to Toccoa Falls in the opening game of a three-game set at Rich Park.

Toccoa Falls struck first in the third inning, but the Bruins responded in the fourth when Nathan Wesley launched a solo home run to even the score at 1-1. The back-and-forth battle continued throughout the night, with both teams trading runs across the middle innings.

Carolina found its rhythm offensively behind key contributions from Daniel Isbell and Randy DeMaio. Isbell finished with two doubles and scored twice, while DeMaio added a solo home run in the fifth inning to keep the Bruins within striking distance. Wesley also contributed with a home run and two runs scored, while Danny Gonzalez drove in a pair of runs.

On the mound, Jasean Brown delivered a strong start, tossing six innings while allowing just two runs and striking out eight. The Bruins bullpen held firm into the late innings before Toccoa Falls regained the lead in the ninth inning on an RBI double.

Carolina answered in the eighth to tie the game at 4-4, highlighted by a clutch RBI single from Gonzalez, but were unable to complete the comeback in the final frame.

Toccoa Falls totaled 11 hits compared to Carolina's eight, capitalizing on timely hitting in the late innings to secure the win.

FROM THE COACH
"We competed well and put ourselves in position to win late," said Associate Head Coach Logan Conklin. "It's a tough one to drop, but there were a lot of positives—especially from our pitching staff and the way we battled throughout. We'll regroup and be ready to go tomorrow."

Carolina University baseball will return to action Saturday, March 21, as they close out the series against Toccoa Falls with a doubleheader beginning at 12:00 p.m. at Rich Park.