MIAMI, Fla. - Though the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats' (22-18) seven-game win streak may have been snapped over the weekend, they immediately grabbed another win and look to keep the winning times rolling as they return for the second trip to south Florida of the 2013 campaign, rematching with the FIU Panthers (20-15) 6 p.m. Tuesday at FIU Baseball Stadium.
These teams first met in the second week of the season, with starter Montana Durapua earning the complete game shutout. The lone run in the 1-0 victory came on catcher Chris Biocic's second-inning RBI walk.
Pitching Matchups
B-CU: RHP Lenny Martinez (0-1, 6.71 ERA, 23.2 IP, 4 K)
FIU: RHP Dillon Maya (0-2, 4.74 ERA, 24.2 IP, 22 K)
Notes About the FIU Panthers (20-15)
Though the 'Cats contained the Panthers in the first meeting, FIU has continued their otherwise big-hitting ways throughout the season, logging a team batting average of .300, with six starters over that mark.
Leading the way for the Panthers is shortstop Edwin Rios, who bats .385 while leading the team in hits (50), doubles (16) and RBI (34). Defensively, Rios holds a .960 fielding percentage and has logged a team-best 74 assists for FIU. Rios went 0-for-3 in the first meeting.
Left fielder Zach Sweety has also proven a leader at the plate for the Panthers, batting .348 with eight doubles, 14 RBI and a team-high 29 runs scored. Sweety went 1-for-3 in the second-week contest. Catcher Aramis Garcia bats .331 and leads the team with seven home runs, six doubles, 31 RBI and 25 runs scored.
Though the Panthers have not proven to be the most aggressive team on the basepath, it's how far they make it on contact that is a notable concern, boasting a 32nd-ranked (NCAA) 72 doubles and eighth-ranked (NCAA) 33 home runs. FIU has 10 players with jacks on the year, seven with multiple on their count.
Notes About the Wildcats (22-18)
The Wildcats have done some big hitting of their own of late, with just one game in exception (April 13 loss to North Carolina Central), with 15 doubles, four triples and seven home runs over the last six playing days. With 18 multiple-hit games and a .333 batting average, outfielder Josh Johnson has been the ever-steady leadoff man for the Wildcats, topping the team with a 48th-ranked (NCAA) 51 hits, in addition to 24 runs scored.
Fellow Outfielder Eros Modena continues to be solid, batting .315, with team highs of 28 RBI and 32 runs scored, while putting up 47 hits and making good decisions on the bases, stealing 12-of-18 bases. Modena put out a three-run bomb in the final contest with NCCU. Anthony Stokes continues his late-season push back to power-hitter, batting .283 with a team-high four homers, seven doubles and 23 RBI. Matt Noble leads the team with 12 doubles and a pair each of triples and home runs.
Live Stats
Live statistics will be broadcast for the game from FIU Baseball Stadium. The link will become available here and on the schedule closer to game time. There appear to be some technical issues with the live stats, but you can get updates on twitter and watch the game live for free at the link below.
Live Video
FIU Athletics will provide a live stream of the game through FIU on-demand at this link.
Game Day Hashtags
For our followers on twitter, the official hashtags for the game will be...
#HailWildcats
#BeatFIU
For all the latest information on the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats, follow the official Twitter feeds at @BCUathletics, @CookmanBaseball, or "Like Us" on Facebook at Bethune-Cookman Athletics.
-B-CUathletics.com-
