Baseball Splits Second Doubleheader With AIC in Myrtle Beach

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. – Playing a second doubleheader in as many days, the University of Bridgeport's baseball team once again split a twin bill with AIC on Sunday at the Ripken Experience in Myrtle Beach. The 1-1 day puts the Purple Knights' record at 3-4 this season.

GAME ONE – Bridgeport 8, AIC 7
The Purple Knights wasted no time taking control, erupting for four runs in the second inning. After a pair of errors and a walk loaded the bases, Liam O'Neal delivered the big blow—a bases-clearing double that plated three runs and gave UB a 3-0 advantage.

Moments later, Raymond Morales followed with an RBI single to score O'Neal and push the lead to 4-0.

Bridgeport extended its edge in the fourth without recording a hit. AIC miscues once again proved costly, as O'Neal reached on a bunt and two runs crossed the plate on errors to stretch the margin to 6-1.

AIC chipped away with single runs in the third and a two-run fifth before adding two more in the sixth to trim the deficit to 6-5.

The Purple Knights responded in the seventh. After Anthony Matturro came around to score and Anthony Armenia swiped second, Jaden Echevarria hit an RBI single to center to cap a two-run frame and make it 8-5.

The Yellow Jackets made things interesting in the bottom half with a two-run home run that cut the lead to just one.

However, Dominick Weidtman slammed the door from there, recording the final outs to earn the save. Tyler Hodella picked up the win after allowing three runs across 4.1 innings of work, striking out three.

GAME TWO – AIC 8, Bridgeport 7
Despite rallying in their final at-bat, UB came up just short in the finale.

The Purple Knights struck first in the second inning. After Echevarria drew a walk, Anthony Armenia blasted his third home run of the season—a two-run shot to left—to give UB a 2-0 lead.

AIC answered with a two-run homer in the bottom half to even the score but Bridgeport regained control in the middle innings.

In the third, Ryan Baldwin delivered an RBI single to score Anthony Matturro and make it 3-2.

The Purple Knights added two more in the fourth as Patrick Krempasky singled home Morales before Echevarria laced an RBI double to left center, extending the advantage to 5-2.

AIC erupted for five runs in the fifth inning, highlighted by a three-run home run to take a 7-5 lead.

Trailing by two and down to their final three outs in the seventh, Bridgeport capitalized on defensive miscues to keep the game alive.

JJ O'Connor stole second and advanced to third on an error before scoring, and Baldwin later reached on an error to plate the tying run and knot the game at 7-7.

However, the Yellow Jackets answered in the bottom half, pushing across the go-ahead run to secure the 8-7 decision.

Echevarria paced the offense with two hits and an RBI, while Armenia drove in a pair with his early long ball as the Purple Knights showed resilience but ultimately fell just short.

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The Purple Knights will continue their spring break trip with a visit to USC Beaufort on Tuesday afternoon (3 p.m.).