March 11, 2008

Box Score

Macon, Ga. - Bethune-Cookman University used a run in the ninth inning to secure a 2-1 victory over Mercer University in the first game of a two-game baseball series on Tuesday night at Claude Smith Field in Macon, Ga.

Bethune-Cookman (8-5) opened up a true pitcher's duel on Tuesday night in the final at-bat for the Wildcats. The `Cats and Bears were deadlocked for the final three innings before the `Cats bats woke up.

B-CU looked towards freshman pitcher Samuel Rodriguez to handle the duties on the mound while the Bears of Mercer (7-6) leaned upon David Harden to perform for them.

In his second-ever start as a Wildcats, Rodriguez was brilliant while Harden was much of the exact same.

The Wildcats jumped on the board first with a run in the top-half of the second inning. Third baseman Emmanuel Castro's double to right center was good enough to put him into scoring position for teammate Justin Hoyte to plate him with a double of his own down the right field line.

B-CU led 1-0 until the home-half of the fifth when Mercer used a two-out rally to tie the game. Mike Armstrong drew a walk from Rodriguez as the bases were loaded to score the Bears' lone run of the game. The RBI was credited to Armstrong as catcher Casey Stuart scored after reaching safely earlier in the inning with a single to center.

In the ninth frame, B-CU got the game-winning run into scoring position as shortstop José Lozada led-off the inning being hit by a pitch, and then advancing to second on a throwing error charged to the Mercer infield. He then stole third base after a strikeout to have two outs for the `Cats.

The winning run was on the second of two errors charged to the Mercer infield in the inning. The Bears had just two (2) errors for the game total.

Emmanuel Castro lined a ball to third base for the Wildcats, but the throw was over the head of first baseman Mike Armstrong to allow Lozada to rush in from third for the winning score.

The pitcher of record for B-CU with the win was junior reliever Concepcion Guzman with his first victory on the mound for the Wildcats. The loss went to Dan April for the Bears of Mercer. B-CU starter Rodriguez went six full frames on the mound spreading out six hits and allowing one earned run with two strikeouts.

Mercer starter Harden was on the hill for seven innings with one strikeout, one earned run and spacing out seven hits by the `Cats.

Mercer was led at the plate by shortstop Billy Shaughnessy with three hits in four trips, as well as John Dortch with two hits.

The Wildcats looked towards the bat of Lozada and Catsro who each had two hits a piece. For Lozada, this is his fifth game with multiple hits, while Castro has now registered two or more hits in two contests for the Maroon and Gold. Sophomore outfielder Justin Hoyte plated the `Cats only RBI of the game.

The Wildcats and Bears will return to face each other tomorrow afternoon at 4 p.m. for the final game of the two-game stretch back at Claude Smith Field. For more information, please visit the B-CU athletic website at www.BCCathletics.com.