March 30, 2011
Final Stats
Call Baseball Contact Michael Stambaugh for more details - 386.481.2278 -
BOCA RATON, Fla. - The Wildcats battled back late against Florida Atlantic, in Wednesday's rematch of the 2010 NCAA tournament regional game. FAU jumped out early with four in the first inning, then extending to an eight point lead in the fifth. In the seventh, the Wildcats got rolling, putting up seven runs, capped off by a Ryan Durrence grand slam to bring it to within two. B-CU couldn't keep up the offensive momentum, as FAU held them to no runs in the final two innings, topping B-CU, 12-7.
Florida Atlantic made the initial dent in the scoreboard, first scoring on two straight singles in the bottom of the first, but adding two more after an error in the Wildcat middle infield to make it 4-0.
The Wildcats gave an answer in the top of the third, with an RBI single for designated hitter DJ Leonard to close the gap a little.
However, the next two innings would be crucial for FAU offensively, as the Owls first added an additional run in the fourth on a double steal at second and home, but four runs in the fifth grew the deficit to eight runs, in the 9-1 lead.
Though trailing by eight runs, the Wildcats found their mark offensively in the seventh inning, starting off with an RBI single for Paul Biocic collected an RBI single of his own to bat in Johnson, and B-CU was starting to move.
With two runners on in the seventh, Peter O'Brien was hit by the pitcher to load the bases. Ryan Durrence stepped in, with a 15 mph incoming wind, and hit his fifth home run of the season for a grand slam, trimming the deficit to 9-7.
Feeling the opportunity to win, B-CU worked into the bullpen to shut down FAU's lineup core. However, the Owls were able to tack on three in the eighth to create some breathing room.
In the final two innings, B-CU had opportunities, but were unable to capitalize, as FAU retired the Wildcats offensively, holding on for the 12-7 win over the Wildcats.
“We were never out of the game. Very pleased with the effort offensively, and the fight to come back,” said Head Coach Mervyl Melendez,”but we've got to do a better job on the mound. Today wasn't a very good day for the pitchers.”
Paul Biocic went 2-5 with another RBI. However, it was Ryan Durrence's grand slam that really made a momentum swing late in the game, as he went 1-5 with four RBU on the day.
FAU left fielder Hudak made an amazing stand at the plate, going 5-5 with one RBI, setting up a phenomenal week where he's currently at 8-8.
The Wildcats are done with their games for this week, but must get geared up for the long road trip ahead, with 12 straight road games upcoming, beginning next Wednesday with a two-game trip to Miami to face FIU.
“You've got to regroup and forget about games like this,” said Melendez, “and look forward to the next opponent. We've got to concentrate on next week and work hard.”
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