Feb. 28, 2012
Box Score
Reach Baseball Contact Michael Stambaugh for more details by E-Mail stambaughm@cookman.edu -
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - The Wildcats took their largest margin of loss of the early season tonight, taking on cross-county rival #19 Stetson in the 2012 home opener at Jackie Robinson Ballpark. Offensively, B-CU never found its mark, while errors turned costly as Stetson converted for runs.
“You've got to come ready to play,” said Head Coach Jason Beverlin, “and I don't feel we were mentally prepared to compete tonight.”
As a team scoring over ten runs a game coming into the contest, Stetson put a tick on the scoreboard early with an RBI single in the first, but as the defenses settled in, it appeared a pitching duel may be in order.
A fourth inning jam broke that deadlock and turned into a difference maker, with a throwing error sending one run home, followed by a wild pitch and ending in back-to-back doubles to make a four-run frame.
Deltona product Montana Durapau entered the game in relief to open the fifth, holding the Hatters without a run, or even a hit, through three innings, striking out two and walking one. Juan Pizarro came in for the final innings and threw aggressively to close out the game.
B-CU held Stetson for four innings, but the Hatters were able to squeeze a pair of runs out of the ninth.
The Wildcats finally got something going in the final inning on offense, as outfielder Jake Welch averted the shutout, with a hard-hit RBI single that split the middle infielders and brought Nick Johnson across the plate, taking the score to 7-1 in Stetson's favor. Welch made his first collegiate appearance, and start, against the Hatters.
Third baseman Nick Johnson was solid in his approach and aggressive all game, leading the Wildcats at 2-3 at the plate.
The Wildcats (4-4) return to Jackie Robinson Ballpark tomorrow night to take on UCF (6-2), who rolled USF, 12-1 at home on Tuesday night, led by pitcher D.J. Hicks, who also hit 1-2 with four RBI. The first pitch vs. the Knights is scheduled for 6 p.m.
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