CORAL GABLES, Fla. - NCAA Postseason
play continues for the Wildcats (26-32) on
Saturday, as they face Columbia (29-19)
in the elimination round after taking a
late-game heartbreaker in the 1-0
walk-off loss to host Miami. Saturday's
first pitch is slated for 2 p.m. at Alex
Rodriguez Park at Mark Light Field.
Bethune-Cookman (26-32) vs. Columbia (29-18)
NCAA Baseball Regional - May 30 - June 1, 2014
Elimination Round Game - Saturday, May 31, 2 p.m.
Alex Rodriguez Park at Mark Light Field - Coral Gables, Fla.
B-CU Social Media Outlets:
Twitter: @CookmanBaseball | @BCUathletics
Facebook: BCUathletics
Instagram: @BCUathletics
YouTube: CatEye Network
Ticket Information
All-Session
Field Box: $90
Chairback Reserved: $60
General Admission: $45
Single-Session
Field Box: $30 (unlikely to be available)
Chairback Reserved: $20 (unlikely to be available)
General Admission: $15
Pitching Starters:
B-CU: RHP Keith Zuniga (7-4, 2.59 ERA) vs. CU: RHP Kevin Roy (6-4, 3.06 ERA)
Wildcats Update
In the opening round game, the Wildcats faced top-seeded host Miami on Friday night, battling through eighth scoreless innings, as starters Montana Durapau and Andrew Suarez squared off, both leaving the game in a shutout. Tied 0-0 into the bottom of the ninth, UM first baseman David Thompson reached as a hit batter and later scored on a wild pitch, sending the game final at 1-0.
Defensively, the Wildcats were stout against the highly-touted Hurricanes, allowing just four hits, while collecting seven of their own despite the missed run opportunities. After starting the ace, Durapau, in game one, there's little talent difference in the game two starter, Keith Zuniga, who enters with a 7-4 record.
In the double-elimination NCAA Regional, the Wildcats are still alive and can jump back into the winners bracket with a victory over Columbia on Saturday.
Bringing More than Just Glove in the Clutch
Senior shortstop Shaun McCarty has consistently proven a source of play-saving defense for the Wildcats. The 2012 Rawlings Gold Glove Award winner at Paradise Valley CC locks down the middle infield with an outstanding jump on the ball for a team-leading 135 assists and a hand in 29 double plays.
However, since the final conference series (Savannah State, May 3-4), McCarty has been solid at the plate, batting .390 with four (4) doubles & one (1) triple, scoring seven (7) runs and batting in four (4) more. At the MEAC Tournament, McCarty batted .500 and was on the All-Tournament Team.
McCarty applied consistent pressure in the opening game of the Regional, hitting 2-for-3, including a two-out double into left center in the seventh to give the Wildcats a late scoring opportunity. In addition, some highlight defensive plays helped the Wildcats keep the game scoreless into the ninth.
Keep Calm and Sams On
Though the 2014 season saw a variety of different leaders from the Wildcats, senior captain and first baseman Eric Sams emerged as B-CU's most consistent source of offense, and defense, separating himself as a crucial go-to player in the 2014 season.
At the plate, Sams leads the Wildcats with a .317 batting average. In addition, Sams leads the team in hits (69), runs scored (42), total bases (89), walks (24), sacrifice flies (5) and doubles (15). With the double-digit two-baggers, he ranks 159th in the NCAA and first in the MEAC. Defensively, the senior holds a .996 fielding percentage and tops the squad with 485 putouts, assisting on 26 and finishing off 45 of the Wildcats' 52 double plays.
After the final home series, Sams dropped into somewhat of a slump, as his average topped out at .380, but he found his stroke in the final conference weekend at Savannah State, hitting .692 (9-for-13) with six (6) runs scored, leading the Wildcats on a 40-hit weekend to clinch the MEAC Southern Division crown.
Munoz Coming in Hot Down the Stretch
After opening the season as a reserve outfielder in the rotation, junior transfer Bryant Munoz has been taking a leadership role over the past four weeks. The Tucson, Ariz. native moved in as a primary starter during the North Carolina Central series, beginning April 12 in Durham, N.C., and has not yielded his starting spot since. Over the past 18 games, Munoz has batted .357 (25-for-70) with 12 RBI and seven (7) runs scored. Defensively, he's locked down left field with 34 putouts, two (2) assists and no errors. At the MEAC Tournament, Munoz stayed consistent, batting .357 over the four-game run to the title.
Munoz is second on the team in batting average, hitting .299 with five doubles and a triple, logging a .356 on-base percentage.
About the Columbia Lions
The 2014 Ivy League champion, Columbia faced Texas Tech in its opening round game, and much like the Wildcats, suffered a ninth-inning heartbreak, as the Red Raiders claimed a 3-2 victory on a walk-off double.
The Lions have won 21 of their last 25 games, proving on Friday the brand of fundamental and scrappy baseball they play under eighth-year Head Coach Brett Boretti.
In addition to their 24th-ranked .975 fielding percentage, the Lions have proved capable hitters but scoring may come in spurts. Leading the way is leadoff hitter and second baseman Will Savage, hitting .329 with 14 RBI and 27 runs to set up scoring opportunities. Jordan Serena bats .299, playing in center field, scoring a team-high 41 runs. Left fielder Rob Paller went 3-for-4 against TTU and bats .297 to tie for the team lead in RBI (34), along with 25 runs scored.
Another player to keep an eye on is left-handed right fielder Gus Craig, who bats .279, but his defensive approach will be a challenge. Craig takes good angles on outfield balls and has serious arm strength to limit extra bases in the equation.
On the mound for the Lions will be honorable mention All-Ivy sophomore Kevin Roy, who limits opponents to an NCAA 10th-ranked 5.74 hits per outing and a .183 batting average. The right-hander holds a 3.02 ERA with 48 strikeouts and 21 walks in 62.2 innings this season.
Live Coverage
The NCAA will provide live stats from Mark Light Field through the NCAA website. There will be plenty of live action coverage, including radio play-by-play by Goliath Radio on WELE 1380 in Daytona Beach and online at this link. For those with network access, the game will be telecast live on ESPN3/WatchESPN app on smartphones and tablets. Fans can also keep up on game action with steady updates from Bethune-Cookman's social media outlets.
Staying Social
For all the latest information on the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats, follow the official Twitter feeds, @CookmanBaseball or @BCUathletics, or "Like Us" on Facebook at BCUathletics.
The official hashtags for this game will be: #BeatColumbia and #HailWildcats.
To join the conversation on social media, be sure to tag your B-CU-related posts with the official hashtag of B-CU Athletics, #HailWildcats.
-B-CUathletics.com-
