May 17, 2009
Box Score B-CU's Updated 58 Game Stats (32-26 - 2009 MEAC Champions)
Contact B-CU SID Mark Johnson (386) 481-2206 -
Daytona Beach, Florida -
Wildcats Win Fourth Straight MEAC Championship
B-CU Beats North Carolina A&T 15-9 In Title Game
10 MEAC Titles In Last 11 Years For Wildcats
The MEAC Conference dominance continues for Bethune-Cookman University winning its fourth straight MEAC title and 10 championships in the last 11 years beating North Carolina A&T 15-9 Sunday at Jackie Robinson Ballpark.
B-CU's Ryan Durrence was 2-5 with a home run and five RBI to lead the 15-run, 12-hit attack against the Aggies. Freshman lefty Joseph Munoz, Felix Machado pitched the final four innings.
For Head Coach Mervyl Melendez, it was his ninth MEAC championship in ten years as the head coach and his 2009 team has peaked at the right time. "We have been playing well the last 2-3 weeks and this is the team I envisioned earlier in the year - we saw that team today and this weekend," said Melendez of his 2009 MEAC champions (now 32-26 on the season with four straight wins, including the 5-2 win at #15 Miami to end the regular season). "We need to continue to peak, continue to swing the bats like we've been and continue to pitch well. We will savior the moment, enjoy the victory. I am proud of everything we have done as a team. I am very satisfied and happy winning the MEAC again."
In Sunday's win, Durrence had five RBI and the offense had six RBI doubles in the contest. Hitting RBI two baggers were: Justin Hoyte, C. J. Lauriello, Durrence, Emmanuel Castro, Chris Brown and Alejandro Sanchez.
B-CU jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first inning and NC A&T tied it up 3-3 scoring three runs off Simpson in the second with keys BBI hits from George Hines and C. J. Beatty.
The Wildcats broke open the game scoring five times in the fourth, two more in the fifth inning and scored three times in the eight inning to make the score 15-7. Cyril Daniel and Lester Rivenbark had home runs for the Aggies who out-hit B-CU 13-12 in the game.
C. J. Lauriello was named to the all-tournament team (along with pitcher Hiram Burgos) and he had an outstanding tournament going 8-11 at the plate and raising his team-leading batting average to .407 on the season. "C.J. was the tournament MVP in our eyes and had a great weekend for us," said B-CU Coach Melendez. "Many players stepped up for us and we have been playing very good baseball and will take that momentum into the regionals."
"I Love This Team - I Love Coaching These Kids" -B-CU Coach Melendez on his 2009 team -
Coach Melendez talked about the 2009 championship Wildcats and their accomplishment Sunday winning the conference title for the fourth straight time. "I love this team and I love coaching these kids," said Melendez following the championship game Sunday. "I enjoy coaching this team. They all understand it is about the team and not as individuals. They get along and and work hard. We will take one day off then get back to it in preparation for the regionals."
NCAA BASEBALL SELECTION SHOW - May 25, 12:30 PM EST on ESPN TV
More details later on the NCAA Selection Show on: www.bccathletics.com
