DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Bethune-Cookman allowed five runs across the second and third innings, respectfully, on Wednesday evening as the Wildcats dropped a 7-3 decision to visiting Fairfield in non-conference baseball action inside Radiology Associates Field at Jackie Robinson Ballpark.
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Bethune-Cookman (6-12) took an early 3-0 in the home-half of the first inning.
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After
Kyle Corbin walked and advanced on a balk, shortstop
Nate Sterijevski plated the Orlando, Florida native with a single shot back up the middle for the game's opening score. A play later, Sterijevski would score following an infield single by
Joseph Fernando and a throwing error charged to Fairfield second baseman Brett Morrison.
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The third run for the Wildcats came when senior left fielder
Adonis Lao drove across
Danny Rodriguez courtesy a RBI single to right field.
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Fairfield (4-8) brought back two runs in the top-half of the second inning.
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A leadoff walk to designated hitter Anthony Boselli and a double from Mitch Williams set the stage for Tom Ryan to plate a run with a single to third. The second run crossed in the form of Williams on a double steal alongside Ryan swiping second.
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The visitors took the lead in the top of the third as Boselli registered a here-run homer to left field to put the Stags up, 5-3.
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Fairfield would add a pair of insurance runs in the top-half of the ninth, using a Jack Gethings RBI single up the middle, as well as a sacrifice fly to right from first baseman Drew Blake.
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Fairfield relief pitcher Bobby McNiff collected the win, his first decision in his first action of the year for the Stags. He tossed four innings, scattering a pair of hits with a walk and four strikeouts. Ian Halpin collected his first save of the year in two innings of action in working around four hits allowed and a walk.
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The loss went to BCU starter
Alexis Herrera, dropping his record for the year down to 1-3. The hard-throwing right-hander worked just 2.1 innings on the mound, giving up five earned runs on six hits, a walk and producing four strikeouts.
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The BCU offensive attack was led by
Nate Sterijevski with a 3-for-5 night, adding a run and a RBI.
Joseph Fernando would finish 2-for-5 at the dish.
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BCU returns to action this weekend as the Wildcats travel to North Carolina Central for a three-game Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) series at Durham Bulls Park in Durham, North Carolina. The series begins Saturday with a doubleheader at 1 p.m.
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