ORMOND BEACH, Fla. – Jameel Edney and Danny Rodriguez combined for six hits and six RBIs on Sunday afternoon, helping Bethune-Cookman to a 7-5 win in the rubber game of a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) baseball series against Florida A&M at the Ormond Beach Sports Complex.
For Bethune-Cookman, the win gave B-CU a split of the two series on the year against FAMU, with the home teams holding firm, respectively.
With the game tied at 4-all heading into the bottom of the sixth inning, homestanding Bethune-Cookman (16-21, 9-6 MEAC) stepped ahead with three game-changing runs.
Redshirt sophomore shortstop Demetrius Sims began the Wildcats at-bat with a single up the middle past FAMU hurler Chase Jarrell. After freshman centerfield Josten Heron laid down a sac bunt to move Sims into scoring position at second base, senior left fielder Rakeem Quinn drew a base on balls to put two men aboard.
That set the stage for sophomore second baseman Jameel Edney to plate both runners with a double to left, allowing B-CU to step out in front, 6-4. Freshman first baseman Danny Rodriguez later doubled down the line in left off FAMU reliever Tyler Reker, scoring Edney to lift the Cats to a 7-4 advantage.
In the ninth, Florida A&M (22-13, 12-3 MEAC) brought a run back when second baseman Alec Wong scored on an error charged to the B-CU infield. But moments later, Joseph Calamita would get Dylan Dillard to ground into a game-ending double play with a line shot back into the glove of Calamita on the mound, eventually tossing to Rodriguez for the final out.
Bethune-Cookman began the game with two runs in the bottom of the first inning, quickly getting to FAMU starter Ryan Anderson.
After striking out to begin the at-bat, Quinn reached first as the ball raced to the backstop past the glove of catcher Jacky Miles, Jr. In consecutive pitches from Anderson, Quinn stole second and third, respectfully, allowing Edney to lace the first of his game-high matching three RBI with a single through the right side for the game's opening score.
Catcher Clay Middleton would put B-CU up 2-0 with a RBI single through the right side past a diving Alec Wong at second base, driving across Edney for the score.
The Cats plated another two runs in the home-half of the second inning to step ahead, 4-0.
With the bases loaded and two away, Rodriguez scored two with a laced single through the left side to score Quinn and Sims.
After the Rattlers brought a run back in the third, the visitors from Tallahassee knotted the game at 4-all with three runs scored in the top of the fourth inning.
Senior starting pitcher Juan Pizarro went 3.1 innings on the hill for the Wildcats, but failed to factor into the decision after allowing four runs in the third and fourth inning, respectfully. Pizarro allowed four runs (three earned) on four hits, adding four walks and two strikeouts in his first weekend start.
Meanwhile, it was junior left-hander Donté Lindsay collecting the win to even his record for the year at 3-3. The Cleveland native tossed four innings, allowing an unearned run and scattering four hits with four walks and four strikeouts.
The save went to Calamita, picking up his second save in as many days, earning the first in the series opener.
The loss went to FAMU reliever Jarrell, dropping his record to 4-2 on the campaign. He went 3.1 innings, allowing three runs on five hits, two walks and two strikeouts. In the start, Anderson worked just two innings, being tagged for four runs, one five hits, two walks and a pair of strikeouts.
The Wildcats offense was led by Edney and Rodriguez each going 3-for-5 at the dish, adding three RBIs a piece. Quinn scored three runs, and teammates Edney and Sims added two runs each.
Bethune-Cookman returns to the field Tuesday, April 19, traveling to USF in Tampa. A starting pitcher for the matchup will be announced on Monday afternoon.
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