March 7, 2009
B-CU 11, Michigan State 9, Final Box Score Invitational Tournament Central Link - All Game Scores/Highlights
Contact B-CU SID Mark Johnson (386) 481-2206 -
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -
WILD GAME TO END SATURDAY NIGHT AT B-CU INVITATIONAL
Wildcats Hold On For 11-9 Win Over Michigan State
In a game that had many twists and turns, the B-CU Wildcats held on to beat the Michigan State Spartans 11-9 at Jackie Robinson Ballpark.
Following a two-run first inning with RBI hits from Chris Brown for B-CU to take a 2-1 lead, the Spartans went ahead 3-2 scoring two runs in the third on two hit batters, a fielders choice and two run-scoring singles off Wildcats' starter Eric Thomas.
Then the fireworks started. B-CU (7-5) scored eight runs in the third inning for its biggest offensive inning of the season. Alejandro Jimenez had an RBI single followed by Brown's 2nd RBI double of the game. Ryan Durrence followed with a towering three-run home run to left field, his second three run blast in two nights - giving the `Cats an 8-2 lead. B-CU batted around in the inning and two more runs scored on an error and a bases loaded walk to Aaron Patterson. Patterson was inserted into the lineup when Jairo Acevedo was ejected from the game by the home plate umpire. It was a ruling when Acevedo scored on Brown's line-drive double off the wall in center that took a piece of wood off the center field fence.
"The base runner has the right to the base and he was being blocked by the catcher, " said B-CU Coach Mervyl Melendez. "He was ejected for making an aggressive charge on the catcher."
Melendez argued the call but the home plate umpire's ruling stood and Acevedo's ejection was final.
"They (Michigan State) did not quit and you have to give them credit for coming back," said Melendez. "Eric Thomas I thought pitched well tonight and we always tell the pitchers to attack the hitters when we are ahead like that. We want to make them swing the bat and he did that"
Thomas got the pitching win (1-2) throwing 6.1 innings, allowing eight hits, 7 runs, and striking out seven batters. Justin Dahl pitched the ninth inning and struck out the side in between a walk and a single and earned his third save of the year. "Justin is our closer for a reason and he has ice water in his veins. He has to attack and be aggressive. He struck out the side tonight and what I wasn't happy with was the walk in the ninth. He has to trust his stuff and he has good stuff."
The Spartans and Wildcats will be back playing again at noon on Sunday. B-CU will play Georgia State in the second game of the double header Sunday at 4 p.m. to wrap up the inaugural B-CU Baseball Invitational.
