DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – North Florida scored six runs in the top of the 11th inning on Wednesday night to take an 11-5 win from Bethune-Cookman in non-conference baseball action inside Radiology Associates Field at Jackie Robinson Ballpark.
North Florida (19-9) batted around the order in the top-half of the 11th, breaking open what was a highly competitive game throughout.
The game stood tied at 5-all after 10 innings complete, marking the second consecutive game B-CU had gone to extra innings, following Tuesday night's 3-2 win over FIU.
Bethune-Cookman (7-21) looked towards Juan Pizarro out of the bullpen to start the 11th on the mound, replacing Clint Clymer who pitched the prior to innings in relief work.
Keith Skinner started things off with a double to right center, followed by Nick Karmeris drawing a four-pitch walk, putting two men on to begin the Ospreys at-bat. B-CU head coach Jason Beverlin wasted little time going to the bullpen, looking towards Byron Ferguson to try and end the threat.
Following a successful sac bunt from second baseman Patrick Ervin, Garrick Ferguson drew a walk to load the bases. Ivan Coutinho would toe the rubber at that point for B-CU, taking over a 2-0 count from Ferguson. Shortstop Kyle Brooks immediately singled to left, plating the go-ahead run for the Ospreys at 6-5.
Donnie Dewees followed with a two-run single through the left side, while third baseman Trent Higginbothem laced a RBI single to center. That allowed North Florida a 9-5 advantage.
UNF would add two more runs off the bat of first baseman Ryan Roberson who doubled to left field, giving the Ospreys an 11-5 cushion heading into the home-half of the inning.
Jamie Cardwell closed the door on any kind of a Wildcats comeback attempt on the bump for the Ospreys, as Brandon Amendolare served as the only runner to reach safely after he was hit by a pitch to begin the Wildcats at-bat.
Bethune-Cookman had the winning run 90 feet away at third base twice – once in the ninth and 10th inning, respectively. In the ninth, the Cats used a Nathan Bond single to put runners at the corners with one out. However, UNF's Corbin Olmstead collected back-to-back strikeouts to end the threat.
The Wildcats took an early 4-0 lead in the game as they quickly went to work on UNF starter Conner Andrews in the second inning.
With runners on the corners, shortstop Demetrius Sims poked a RBI single to center, pushing across Jordan Thomas for the game's opening run. Jake Welch then followed with a single to left center, eventually finding his way to third on a throwing error charged to UNF. That allowed Sims and catcher Clay Middleton to score on the play for the 2-0 advantage.
B-CU would increase the lead at 4-0, following second baseman Marcus Stump's sac fly to score Welch.
The Ospreys of North Florida countered with a pair of runs in the top of the third, cutting into the lead at 4-2.
However, B-CU would answer in the bottom-half with a run from Jordan Robinson, as he stole home as part of a double steal with teammate Thomas swiping second.
At that point, B-CU led, 5-2
UNF used the long ball in the fourth, as teammates Roberson and Olmstead led off the frame with back-to-back home runs.
As B-CU clung to a 5-4 lead in the ninth, Wildcats closer Clymer was unable to pick up the save. Karmeris lined a double to right center, plating Skinner from first. Clymer settled down to get the next three men, sending the game into extra innings.
The win went to Alex Smith out of the bullpen, improving his record to 3-1 on the campaign. He went a single inning on the hill, allowing just a hit and striking out one.
The loss was tacked on to Pizarro, who fell to 0-1 on the year. He failed to record an out, giving up two runs and walking one.
Donté Lindsay started the game for Bethune-Cookman, working four innings with four runs given up (two earned) on five hits. Sidney Duprey worked two innings in relief, allowing a hit and a walk, but nothing else. German Hernandez also worked a strong inning, striking out two, while Alex Seibold tossed one frame with a strikeout.
The B-CU offense was paced by Bond with a 3-for-4 performance at the plate. Meanwhile, Bryant Munoz was 2-for-2 off the bench, and teammates Sims and Welch each registered multi-hit contests with two hits apiece.
Bethune-Cookman steps back into conference play this weekend, hosting Savannah State to Radiology Associates Field at Jackie Robinson Ballpark. The three-game series will begin with a doubleheader, Saturday, March 28, at 1 p.m.
For the latest information on the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats, follow us on Twitter, @BCUDiamondCats. For the most accurate and up to date information delivered to your phone, download the official Bethune-Cookman Wildcats app for your Droid or iPhone.
-www.BCUathletics.com-
