March 17, 2007

Box Score

Daytona Beach, Fla. - Savannah State held off a furious Bethune-Cookman University rally in the bottom of the ninth inning to complete a shocking upset of the Wildcats, 4-3 at Jackie Robinson Ballpark in Daytona Beach, Fla.

Though ranked atop this session's Black College Baseball poll, Savannah State (15-9) has not faced the same caliber of competition that the well-tested and road-weary Wildcats of Bethune-Cookman have scene thus far on the year. However, that did not phase the Tigers in their bid to show the HBCU baseball world they truly belong atop the poll.

Not only were tempers flying throughout from the players down through the coaches, but the game was as aggressive as ever by both teams wanting it more than ever, as well.

SSU faced off against the hot-handed hurler for B-CU in Dustin Blackwell as he looked to bounce back from tough back-to-back losses against Michigan and Georgia Southern.

SSU wasted little time jumping on the board first in the second inning as Ryan Sainz was hit by a pitch, and immediately stole second base to move him into scoring position.

Glen Wormley followed that up with an RBI single down the left field line to get the Tigers on top 1-0. That was just one of many hits down the line so far in the series for the Tigers as they have seemingly taken advantage of the Wildcats playing deep off the bags with runners in scoring position.

B-CU answered back in the fourth inning as they were finally able to solve the Tigers pitching that had the `Cats hitting pop-ups and striking out for most of the day. SSU starting pitcher Mark Sherrod looked almost flawless on the mound with a variety of breaking pitches that mixed well with a fastball here-and-there.

B-CU designated hitter Angel Negron singled up the middle. He then went to third base on a costly pickoff move by Sherrod that sailed over the head of first baseman Jonathan Ross. Negron was brought in on a sacrifice fly by senior Chris Henault--his second sac fly of the weekend.

The score didn't stay tied for long as; once again, the Tigers were able to answer back in the very next inning.

Jonathan Ross of SSU scored following a single and an error charged to the B-CU infield after a sacrifice bunt attempt by Timothy Waine. The error on the throw home attempting to snuff-out the sac hit allowed Ross to put the Tigers back out in front, 2-1.

SSU put even more leverage between themselves and the `Cats in the eighth inning when John Keene double to center field in order to plate Antonio Richmond for the 3-1 advantage. Richmond singled to start off the inning.

SSU jumped on top 4-1 when Keene scored on a muffed throw by the B-CU infield--their second error of the day. Both errors for B-CU came in the eighth inning.

The Wildcats tried to pull off the rally in the ninth inning as Henault reached on a dropped fly ball and Alejandro Jimenez walked to start off the frame.

SSU closer Marcus Phillips entered the game with pressure on his shoulders, and that pressured intensified as he threw a pitch that was registered as a passed ball on the catcher to move runners up a base each at second and third with no outs.

Two runners came across to score on a throwing error charged to the SSU infield that cut the score to 4-3 in favor of the Tigers.

The bases stood loaded with one out as right fielder Angel Mercado stepped to the plate. He immediately hit into a fielder's choice right to second base as shortstop Brandon Javis flipped it to second baseman Timothy Waine to end the game and collect the win for Savannah State.

The Wildcats left nine runners stranded on base and were out-hit on the day, 8-5.

The win went to Sherrod who kept his record clean at 5-0 on the year, while Dustin Blackwell fell to 3-3 in his third consecutive loss. The save went to Phillips--his first of the season.

In a game that saw three ejections and several controversial plays/calls, tomorrow's contest should certainly be one to watch. B-CU will be providing live stats and game updates through their website at www.BCCathletics.com. Stats will be provided through Game Tracker.

The two teams will reunite once again tomorrow for the rubber match of the three-game set back at Jackie Robinson Ballpark in Daytona Beach. The first pitch is set for 1 p.m.