March 26, 2010
Box Score Updated 25-game B-CU stats/scores (15-10)
Contact B-CU Mark Johnson (386) 481-2206 -
Daytona Beach, Fla. -
Sophomore catcher Peter O'Brien hit his third home run of the game leading off the bottom of the ninth inning lifting B-CU to a 4-3 win over Dartmouth Friday night at Jackie Robinson Ballpark.
O'Brien pounded the second pitch from Dartmouth reliever Ryan Hunter deep over the left center field wall for another late inning win for the "Walk-off Wildcats", (15-10) their 11th win in the last 12 ball games. O'Brien earlier homered in the second and fourth innings and he knocked in all four runs for the Wildcats. It was B-CU's third win in their final at bat this season in the bottom of the ninth (earlier wins in the ninth over Stetson and Jacksonville). O'Brien now has a team-leading 11 home runs in 2010.
"Unbelievable," said B-CU Head Coach Mervyl Melendez. "Peter had three special at bats tonight and we needed him to do that for us to win the ball game. I can't remember any of my players hitting three home runs in a game," said Melendez. "Every player is playing with confidence and we believe that we can get the job done and win the ball games in the late innings.. Somebody is going to get it done for us (tonight it was Peter)."
Defensive Gems By Infield Lead To Victory
Joseph Munoz (1-2) earned the win in relief and was aided by a huge double play to end the top of the ninth. Shortstop Alejandro Sanchez diving stop and flip to 2B Jairo Acevedo started an inning ending twin killing to keep the score tied at 3-3. Acevedo's diving stop and flip to Sanchez for a force out to end the eighth inning kept the game tied.
"Those diving defensive plays by Jairo and Alejandro were the key to us being in the ball game and able to win it. Also the defensive play by Justin (Dahl) to get the runner off third base was key too," said Melendez.
B-CU starter RHP Patrick Goelz got a no-decision and pitched 6.1 solid innings and relievers Justin Dahl, Andrew Tilka and Munoz finished up the victory.
"Goelz had his best outing of the year by far and it is needed by the starters with all the games we have been playing," said Coach Melendez. "Both teams starters have pitched well in the series and you can see Dartmouth is a good team with all the close scores they have been playing."
The two teams will play game three of the series Saturday beginning at 11:30 a.m. (schedule change from 12 noon).
RHP Julio Morales will get the pitching start for B-CU.
