May 15, 2008
Box Score
Norfolk, Va. -
Hiram Burgos proved his worth on the mound and Osvaldo Torres provided the hitting power as Bethune-Cookman University breezed through the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, 13-1 on Thursday morning in the first round of the annual Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Baseball Tournament at Marty L. Miller Baseball Field in Norfolk, Va.
B-CU did not take any chances with the opposition on Thursday as the top-seeded Wildcats (34-20) went with the Pitcher of the Year--Hiram Burgos, as the opening starter in back-to-back years. B-CU's Francisco Rodriguez collected the award last year and started against the Hawks as well in 2007.
The Wildcats opened up the game with four runs in the opening frame as the first four (4) batters reached safely. Junior outfielder José Ortiz led-off the game with a double while Osvaldo Torres to collect a three-run triple that put the Maroon and Gold up, 3-0. B-CU advanced the lead to 4-0 with the help of Torres scoring on a wild pitch from UMES (6-49) starter Dan Sterling.
"We couldn't take any chances today on the mound or at the plate," expressed B-CU head coach Mervyl Melendez--named as MEAC Coach of the Year for the third straight time last evening. "We weren't going to look past anyone, especially UMES because they were expected to do much in 2006 but they made it to the championship game against us. So, we went with Hiram on the mound and the guys stepped up behind him today."
In the second inning, Patrick Jones walked and Ortiz singled ... added a wild pitch and an error charged to the UMES infield allowing B-CU to go up, 5-0. Ortiz would come around with the help of an RBI ground-out from Lozada. Lozada finished with two runs, two hits and three RBI in the contest. Hoyte's RBI single in the fourth pushed the Maroon and Gold margin to 7-0.
UMES got their lone run of the game in the fifth when a chance for double play turned into an error charged to the B-CU infield allowing Phil Vaughn to score making it 7-1 in favor of the `Cats.
B-CU scored four more runs in the seventh and added some good relief pitching from freshman Joseph Munoz to seal the run-rule contest in seven inning, 13-1.
The win went to Burgos to improve his record to 9-1, while Sterling fell to the opposite at 1-9.
UMES was led at the plate by designated hitter Ken Richardson with two hits, as well as teammates Ryan Coppi, Tyler Love and Mike Guy had hits apiece as well. B-CU was led by Torres with three hits. Ortiz, Lozada, Patrick Jones and Neal Jones had two hits each for the `Cats.
"I think we did just what we wanted to do today," stated Melendez afterwards. "We could have come out here flat after a week off, but we handled business and that's what we wanted to do. I think we played well and this was a good way to start off the tournament."
The `Cats will get the off day tomorrow, and then play an opponent to be determined later in a contest to be held on Saturday, May 17 at 2 p.m. back at the Marty L. Miller Baseball Field in Norfolk, Va. UMES will play tomorrow at 10 a.m. against the loser of today's N.C. A&T vs. Norfolk State contest. For more information on the MEAC Baseball Tournament, please visit www.MEACsports.com.
