April 1, 2008

Box Score

DeLand, Fla. - Bethune-Cookman tried to rally from a 5-0 deficit but fell just short on Tuesday night as the Stetson Hatters took the first game of this year's three-game "bounce" series between two Volusia County rivals by a count of 6-4 at Melching Field in DeLand, Fla.

Stetson (13-15) took advantage of a not-so-good start by B-CU starting pitcher Felix Machado as he seemed to struggle a bit, but the defense also let down the sophomore right-hander in two key situations.

The Hatters jumped on the board first in the second frame when Justin Bass collected his seventh homerun of the year to left field off Machado to put the West Volusia team up, 1-0. They added to their lead in the second with two more runs in the third inning as a two-out rally sparked by Josh Davis' single to third base allowed him to eventually score on a double to right center by first baseman Jeremy Cruz.

Cruz later scored on a costly fielding error by the B-CU (16-11) infield--one of two run-scoring errors charged to the Wildcats on the night.

Stetson plated two more runs in the fourth as left fielder Frank Florio singled and came around to score two batters later on a double from Brian Pippa down the left field line. Pippa would later score on a wild pitch from reliever Darrin Young.

With the Hatters up 4-0 after five innings of play, the `Cats took their turn at a comeback with offense of their own.

Neal Jones' squeeze bunt in the sixth allowed José Lozada to cross safely after he and Justin Hoyte both reached base safely and advanced on errors by the Stetson infield and outfield. B-CU first baseman Osvaldo Torres collected a RBI single to left to bring in Jones to cut the Hatters lead at 5-2.

In the seventh, B-CU scored two more runs when Mark Brooks grounded into a double play, but allowed pinch runner Devin De La Rosa to score on the play. The second run came across as Lozada doubled to right to score pinch runner Cameron McGriff, but was later called out trying to stretch a double into a triple.

The win went to Stetson's Andy Mauldin who improved to 3-1, while the loss went to Machado who evened his record at 2-2. The save was Robbie Elsemiller who earned his fifth of the year.

B-CU was led at the plate by Lozada who was 2-for-4, as well as Torres with a similar 2-for-4 plate showing for the `Cats.

The `Cats travel to USF tomorrow night for a 7 p.m. contest in Tampa, Fla. Live stats will be available through the B-CU athletic website and Game Tracker at www.BCCathletics.com. For ticket information, please call the USF Ticket Office.