TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Bethune-Cookman Baseball split a Mid-Eastern Athletic conference doubleheader with Florida A&M on Saturday at Moore-Kittles Field in Tallahassee, Florida. FAMU took the opening game by a 3-2 count, while B-CU returned the favor with a 3-2 decision in the nightcap. Bethune-Cookman took the series after winning Friday's opening game.
GAME ONE RECAP
After a rain delay lasting more than two hours, Bethune-Cookman was not the same when play resumed, as Florida A&M took the opening game of a MEAC doubleheader at Moore-Kittles Field in Tallahassee, Florida on a 3-2 decision.
Florida A&M (12-17, 8-6 MEAC) scored the game-winning run in the bottom of the fifth inning, as Ryan Kennedy sent his fourth home run of the year over the left field wall. That allowed FAMU to break the tie and take a 3-2 lead in the seven-inning affair.
Florida A&M began the game's scoring in the bottom of the second.
Designated hitter Brian Davis kicked off the FAMU at-bat with a double to right field. After back-to-back strikeouts from B-CU starting pitcher Alex Seibold, Jared Walker doubled inside the bag at third to plate Davis for the 1-0 Rattlers advantage.
Bethune-Cookman (12-23, 10-4 MEAC) matched with a run in the top of the third inning.
Catcher Zach Olszewski walked to lead off the inning, followed by an infield single from redshirt freshman Demetrius Sims. The throw to get Sims at first was wide of first baseman Michael Birdsong, allowing Olszewski to score on the play. Sims followed suit to third base.
With Jordan Robinson at the plate facing a 1-1 count, a two hour and 15 minute rain delay began at 2:02 p.m.
Robinson came in on an error from the FAMU infield when play resumed, putting the Cats up, 2-1.
Florida A&M would come back to tie the game in the bottom-half of the third.
A.J. Elkins walked to begin the Rattlers' at-bat, as Ivan Coutinho toed the rubber for the Cats after the delay.
Elkins then stole second, only to advance to third on an overthrow trying to cut him down on the steal. That setup Marlon Gibbs' RBI single to left, plating Elkins for the tying run at 2-2.
German Hernandez suffered the loss for B-CU in relief action, falling to 0-1 on the year. Meanwhile, the win went to Cleveland Westbrook who improved to 3-0. Dating back to the third game of the previous series against B-CU, Westbrook tossed eight innings of scoreless baseball against the Wildcats.
The B-CU offense collected just two hits in the game, those coming from Jordan Thomas and Demetrius Sims – just one coming after the delay from Sims.
GAME TWO RECAP
Tyler Norris threw six scoreless innings and Clint Clymer closed the door in the ninth as Bethune-Cookman took the series from FAMU courtesy a 3-2 decision in the nightcap of a MEAC doubleheader at Moore-Kittles Field in Tallahassee, Florida. In the win, B-CU has now won three consecutive league series dating back to a sweep of North Carolina A&T just three weeks ago.
B-CU (13-23, 11-4 MEAC) jumped on the board first in the second inning.
Austin Garcia was hit by a pitch, allowing Mijon Cummings to score him from second two plays later on a RBI single to shallow center. That allowed B-CU the 1-0 advantage.
FAMU (12-18, 8-7 MEAC) starting pitcher Ryan Anderson went head-to-head with B-CU freshman hurler Tyler Norris for much of the way.
Anderson was pulled after eight innings, allowing just the single run on two hits, adding three strikeouts and no walks.
Norris went six scoreless frames, spreading out three hits with five strikeouts.
The Wildcats would add two all-important insurance runs in the top of the eighth.
Marcus stump singled, followed by a walk issued to second baseman Brandon Amendolare. Catcher Clay Middleton then reached on a slow roller to third, forcing an errant throw from FAMU third baseman Ryan Kennedy, allowing Stump to score the go-ahead run from second.
After Jordan Robinson was intentionally walked to load the bases and try and get the double play ball in order, Jordan Thomas drew a walk from FAMU reliever Brandon Fleming, giving the Cats a 3-0 edge.
FAMU pulled to within 3-2 in the bottom of the frame off Michael Birdsong's fourth home run of the year, lifting a two-run shot deep over the left field wall.
Clint Clymer toed the mound in the ninth for Bethune-Cookman, picking up three consecutive outs to earn his MEAC leading sixth save of the campaign.
The win went to Norris, upping his record at 4-1 on the year, while the loss went to Anderson who fell to 0-3.
Despite collecting just three hits, Bethune-Cookman got timely offense from Nathan Bond, Stump and Cummings to put pressure on the FAMU defense.
Bethune-Cookman returns to action Tuesday, April 7, when the Wildcats travel to Jacksonville, Florida to face North Florida at 6 p.m.
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