Feb. 3, 2007

Final Stats

Jacksonville, Fla. - Dustin Blackwell went seven innings on the hill for Bethune-Cookman College on Saturday without allowing a single hit against Jacksonville at Alexander Brest Field in order to help pull the series even with a 3-1 victory in Jacksonville, Fla.

Dustin Blackwell, a senior hurler from Cleveland State CC, toed the mound against a strong-hitting Jacksonville (2-1) and was relentless in his efforts to help the Wildcats try and even the series.

"Dustin was magnificent for us today, and he really showed us what he is capable of this year," stated B-CC head coach Mervyl Melendez. "A lot of the credit, however, goes to Coach [Joel] Sanchez for calling a great game for him on the mound and a good game plan for the pitchers."

Blackwell, working on a pitch count for the day, went a full seven innings on the hill and struck out six Dolphins and walked just two (2) batters.

With a true pitchers duel taking place, the Wildcats of B-CC (1-1) jumped on the board first when outfielder Angel Mercado started off the sixth inning with a double down the right field line. Senior shortstop Chris Henault drove in one of his game-high three RBI two batters later when he plated Mercado from third on a single laser shot up the middle for the go-ahead score, 1-0.

JU pitcher Glenn Witkowski would be credited with all three runs on the day for the Dolphins in 2.1 innings of action on the mound. Starting pitcher Matt Gardner earned the no-decision in the contest as he spread out three hits and fanned three batters in five innings of work.

The `Cats got to Witkowski again in the eighth inning as back-to-back singles from Mercado and Chris Henault got back to business with a two-run scoring double down the left field line to put B-CC ahead 3-0.

The Wildcats bullpen of Concepción Guzmán and Felix Machado each registered big strikeouts in the eighth inning to keep the JU bats at bay.

Entering the game in the ninth inning with a team no-hitter going, the Wildcats looked towards fireman closer Francisco Gomez to finish it off. That's when JU batter Pete Clifford collected one of the Dolphins two hits on the day--and only run, with a rocker solo shot to right center to put JU on the board and end the no-hitter, 3-1.

The Dolphins eventually loaded the bases with a couple of walks by Gomez, but a double play turned by first baseman Alejandro Jimenez to catcher Drew Clark kept the Dolphins at bay. Gomez earned the save as he got the next batter to ground out to second base, and close the victory for the Wildcats.

Henault was the big hitter for the Wildcats today as he collected three hits in three plate appearances along with three RBI. Mercado also collected a pair of hits, while Gonzalez and Justin Hoyte rounded out the `Cats eight hits on the day.

Bethune-Cookman and Jacksonville will play the rubber match of the series tomorrow back at Alexander Brest Field in Jacksonville at 1 p.m. The `Cats have never taken a series against Jacksonville in the history of the series. Melendez and his staff will be looking to create history tomorrow in Jacksonville.