BEREA, Ky. - The Berea College Baseball team loss a hard-fought series 1-2 to the Carol University Pioneers. Berea won the first game 12-8 but unfortunately dropped game two 4-7, and game three 6-7.
Following the series, the Mountaineers sit at 2-5 on the season.

Game One- Berea 12, Carroll 8

The Pioneers took the lead early, scoring four runs over the first four innings. However, sophomore Zion Clay cut the deficit in half with a two-run homerun in the bottom of the fourth as Berea trailed 4-2. Carroll's Trevor Benz added an additional run in the top of the fifth with a sacrifice fly to left field to hold a 5-2 advantage.

The Mountaineers took the lead in the bottom of the fifth with an eight-run inning. Sophomore Michael Vazquez earned an RBI on a fielder's choice to trim the deficit to one run, while sophomore Marcelo Manrique followed with an RBI-double to tie the contest 5-5. Sophomore Jayden Junta gave Berea the lead with a two RBI-single to right field. Sophomore Kenneth Henderson capped off the inning with a three-run shot to push Berea's lead 10-5.

The Pioneers continued to fight, scoring two runs in the sixth inning and another in the seventh to cut the lead 10-8. However, the Mountaineers came away with a 12-8 win after sophomores Fredison Rivera and Justin Brown both recorded RBIs in the seventh inning as Berea secured their second win of the season.

The Mountaineers recorded 14 hits in game one, while sophomore Peyton Hooper earned his first win of the season on the mound, pitching five innings and striking out three batters.

Game Two- Carroll 7, Berea 4

Berea held the lead early in game two, scoring all four of their runs in the bottom of the second inning. Sophomore Kire Tribble was the first Mountaineer to cross home plate after sophomore Jamie Nunez hit an RBI-double. Nunez didn't have to wait long to cross home plate himself, as J. Brown doubled to add to the score. Berea's final two runs came as Rivera hit an RBI-single and freshman Giovanni Ortiz hit a sacrifice fly to centerfield as Berea led 4-0.

The lead was short lived, however, as the Pioneers had a big third inning, scoring seven runs. Neither side was able to add more runs past the third inning and Carroll held on for a 7-4 win in the second game of the series.

Berea College started the second game hot having 4 runs in the bottom of the second, but the Pioneers bounced back with 7 runs in the top of the third and took the dub.

Game Three- Carroll 7, Berea 6

The final game of the series was just as close as the first two. Berea took a one run lead after holding the visiting team scoreless in the top of the first. Sophomore Ricardo Serra put the Mountaineers on the board with a sacrifice fly to bring home Henderson. After the next three innings went scoreless, the Pioneers took the lead in the fourth, scoring five runs.

Berea pulled within one run in the bottom of the fifth as Henderson ignited the scoring with an RBI-single as Berea trailed 5-2. J. Brown was next to trim into the deficit as he stole home, while Henderson stole second and was just 90 feet from crossing home plate himself. Sophomore Jayden Junta grounded out to the shortstop, but it was enough to bring Henderson home and Berea trailed 5-4 after five innings.

Carroll got some breathing room in the top of the sixth, scoring two runs. However, the Mountaineers tied the game when it was their turn to bat, as J. Brown knocked a two RBI-single and it was tied 6-6. However, the Pioneers scored the eventually game-winning run in the top of the seventh with a sacrifice fly to right field.

The Berea College baseball team will return to action on Tuesday, hosting Centre College at the Berea College Sports Complex. First pitch is set for 6 p.m.