March 21, 2012

Box Score

Reach Baseball Contact Michael Stambaugh for more details by E-Mail stambaughm@cookman.edu -

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Despite a strong defensive effort from the Wildcats, Wednesday night at Harmon Field, North Florida was able to pull out the 4-2 win on the strength of a single big inning.

“I think that was actually one of the best games we've played all year long,” said Head Coach Jason Beverlin. “We played really well defensively, and hit the ball pretty well without anything to show for it. Our approach was consistent and good all night.”

The Wildcats were able to score early, putting up the game's first run in the second inning as Brashad Johnson got the 'Cats going with a triple straight down the right baseline into the corner, setting him up perfectly for Anthony Stokes' sacrifice fly in right.

Josh Johnson pulled back from a bunting approach to fire a liner up the middle in the third for an RBI as Nick Johnson crossed the plate for the 2-0 lead.

 The Ospreys worked their way back to even with a pair of RBI in the bottom of the fourth, but took the lead on a big two-out, two-run Alex Bacon home run to the left field sign to take the 4-2 lead.

Tough defense on both sides brought the game to an offensive standstill in the final five innings, with each team only collecting a single hit before the final frame.

Starter Montana Durapau (0-4) threw a solid game, and bounced back from the fourth, pitching three more innings with only one hit. He collected two strikeouts with no walks before giving way to Bryan Rivera in the eighth. Rivera threw one frame with one K and no hits.

Brashad Johnson led the Cats at the plate with 2-3 hitting, scoring once, while Josh Johnson and Anthony Stokes each added RBI.

Though the game snaps a seven-game winning streak for the Wildcats (12-10, 4-2 MEAC), it's on to the next series, as MEAC opponent North Carolina A&T (6-13, 1-2 MEAC) comes to Jackie Robinson Ballpark for games on Saturday and Sunday. The Aggies are coming off five straight losses, most recently an 11-6 loss to Elon on Tuesday.

###