GREENSBORO, N.C. – Keith Zuniga pitched eight shutout innings on Saturday night, and Clint Clymer closed the door on the shutout with a save, as Bethune-Cookman Baseball took a series-opening 3-0 decision over North Carolina A&T in MEAC play at World War Memorial Stadium.
Bethune-Cookman (4-15, 4-3 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference) took advantage of an error in the opening inning to plate the game's first score.
Bryant Munoz began the Wildcats at-bat getting hit by a pitch, and Nate Bond moved him to third with a single following a sac bunt from Jameel Edney. With Bond attempting to steal second base, the throw was off target from North Carolina A&T (2-10, 0-3 MEAC) catcher Adan Ordonez, allowing Munoz to race in from third and the 1-0 B-CU advantage.
B-CU starting pitcher Keith Zuniga was nearly untouchable through the first four innings. He allowed just two hits, sitting down three batters with a strikeout.
The Wildcats added to their lead in the sixth.
After catcher Clay Middleton walked to load the bases for the Cats and two outs, senior Jordan Robinson drove a single to right field, plating Rakeem Quinn and Bond on the play.
With Bethune-Cookman leading 3-0 heading into the top of the ninth, Clint Clymer came on the mound to close the door for the win. Clymer allowed two men aboard with one out, but then got the final two outs via fly out and strikeout to earn his first save of the year. For B-CU, the win was also the first shutout victory of the year.
Zuniga tossed a gem on the mound, evening his record at 2-2 on the campaign. In eight innings worked, he spread out eight hits and fanned seven batters against zero (0) walks. The loss went to North Carolina A&T starter Mitchell McQueen who dropped to 0-2 on the year.
Mitchell tossed six innings, allowing three runs (two earned) on five hits, struck out five and walked two.
The offense of the Wildcats was paced by Bond and José Carballo with two hits each, including two RBI from Robinson.
N.C. A&T was led by Brandon Wilkerson with a 3-for-4 night at the plate, as well as Myles Sowell and Kyle Clary with a pair of hits apiece.
The two teams will meet back at World War Memorial Stadium on Sunday for a series-ending doubleheader beginning at noon. The first game will be a nine-inning contest, followed by a seven-inning affair in the nightcap.
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