DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Bethune-Cookman scored 10 runs in the final two innings, but the comeback attempt was just short as the Wildcats fell to visiting seventh-ranked UCF, 18-13 on Tuesday night at Radiology Associates Field at Jackie Robinson Ballpark. With the win, UCF closes out the series with a 3-0 advantage over B-CU on the campaign.
Trailing 9-0 after four and a half innings, Bethune-Cookman (6-16) mounted a late comeback attempt, almost shocking the No. 7 UCF Knights (18-4) in a game packed full of offense – in a sport that has been called a “pitcher's game” with changes made to collegiate bats over the past four years.
B-CU trailed 14-3 heading into the home-half of the eighth inning. That's when the Wildcats sent 13 men to the plate in a seven-run inning – the most runs scored by B-CU in a single inning during the 2015 campaign.
UCF's Tyler Olson began the inning on the hill – an inning in which the Knights sent four pitchers to the mound.
The first B-CU run crossed off the bat of pinch hitter Bryant Munoz who singled to the pitcher, pushing across Jordan Robinson. Catcher Zach Olszewski walked in the next at-bat, loading the bases for shortstop Demetrius Sims, who registered a RBI groundout to second.
That brought on Trent Thompson to pitch for the Knights, as Bethune-Cookman trailed 14-5.
MEAC Rookie of the Week Jameel Edney greeted Thompson by clearing the bases with a two-run scoring triple to right center, eventually scoring on the play courtesy an error charged to the UCF infield on a throw attempting to cut down Edney at third. That allowed the Wildcats to chip into the lead at 14-8, as Munoz and Olszewski scored off Edney's triple.
Four consecutive singles ensued for the Wildcats, in the midst of another pitching change for the Knights, as Harrison Hukari toed the rubber. Jordan Robinson's RBI single to right with the bases loaded plated Jake Welch, followed by José Carballo drawing a bases loaded walk to score Nathan Bond.
That brought the score to within 14-10, before the final two Wildcats went down swinging to end the scoring run.
UCF countered with four runs in the top of the ninth, stretching the lead back to 18-10 heading into the home-half of the final frame.
Bethune-Cookman rallied again with a run-scoring single to right center from Bond, followed by a RBI single from designated hitter Mijon Cummings. Carballo then finished up a stellar offensive night, delivering a single shot back up the middle, crossing Bond on the play.
However, that is as close as B-CU would come as the Cats left the bases loaded to end the game.
UCF ace pitcher Zach Rodgers worked the final 1 1/3 innings out of the bullpen, tagged for three runs (one earned) on five hits and striking out two in order to collect his first save of the year. The win went to Ryan Meyer in relief action, working 2 2/3 innings, allowing just a single hit and striking out three against three walks. He upped his record to 2-0 on the year with the win.
The loss went to Bethune-Cookman starter Sidney Duprey, who fell to 0-3 on the year. Duprey worked just one inning, allowing three runs on three hits.
A total of six Wildcats worked the final eight frames out of the bullpen, including Joseph Calamita and Danny Melgarejo who tossed two combined innings, allowing just a run on two hits. Michael Austin worked three frames, as he was tagged for five runs (two earned) on five hits, adding four strikeouts. Byron Ferguson went an inning, giving up four runs (one earned) on three hits.
The Bethune-Cookman offense was paced by Carballo's 4-for-5 night, adding two RBI and scoring once. Four other Wildcats picked up multi-hit games, with leadoff man Edney going 2-for-4 with three RBI and two scores, as well as Bond with a 2-for-6 night, adding a pair of runs and a RBI. Welch added two hits, along with teammate Cummings.
The UCF offense was led by third baseman Tommy Williams who finished 6-for-7 with four RBI and two runs scored. Right fielder Erik Barber was a double short of the cycle, as he went 3-for-4 with two RBI and two runs. Kam Gellinger was 3-for-6 with a game-leading five RBI.
Bethune-Cookman steps back onto the field Wednesday when playing host to nationally-ranked Florida Atlantic back at Radiology Associates Field at Jackie Robinson Ballpark. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m.
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