– Another explosive offensive performance saw the Wildcats run-rule Mississippi Valley State, 11-1, in eight innings, Sunday afternoon at Bethune Point.
How It Happened
The Wildcats (18-21, 12-6 SWAC) took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second after
Jeremy Garcia singled and came around to score on an RBI knock from
Franki Febles.
Things were quiet until the seventh, when the Wildcats added four insurance runs.
Brian Perez RBI single that scored Patterson. Boris Peña doubled in Perez, and
Jeremy Garcia brought Peña home with an RBI single.
The inning continued as Garcia swiped third and scored on an error. Febles reached on an error and came around to score on a wild pitch to push the B-CU lead to 8-0.
Mississippi Valley State (10-17-1, 4-12 SWAC) put pressure on in the eighth, loading the bases with no one out. A bases-loaded walk scored the lone MVSU run of the game, but Billings forced a double play to end the threat.
The Wildcats did not let up. In the bottom of the eighth, pinch-hitter
Brandyn Gatenby sent a ball deep into right center for his first homer of the season, scoring Patterson to make it 10-1, B-CU.
The Wildcats "walked off" the Delta Devils – courtesy of the SWAC's 10-run mercy rule – in the eighth on a
Kyle Wilkinson bases-loaded walk.
"At the end of the day, our objective is to try to win every series – no matter how you start it," Wildcats head coach
Jonathan Hernandez said after the game. "Our guys finished the job this weekend – we're proud of the effort all around."
Hector Vazquez made the start. He retired the first 10 batters he faced. He turned in seven strong innings, allowing no earned runs on five hits, no walks, and seven strikeouts in his fourth win of the season.
"Vazquez trusted his stuff and committed to the pitch calling today," Hernandez said. "Every Sunday, he limits walks, pitches to contact, and he does a phenomenal job for us."
The Wildcats lineup enjoyed success throughout the order.
Christopher Patterson came through with his second straight four-hit game of the season and his third of the season. He went 4-5 with three runs.
Jeremy Garcia went 3-4 with a pair of runs scored, a walk, and an RBI. Perez added two hits three RBI, and two walks on a 2-3 day. Peña finished with two hits and an RBI, and Febles collected a hit, a run, and an RBI.
"Every day is a new opportunity for us to excel," Hernandez said. "Our guys have done that – especially the last two days.
Jeremy Garcia is a good example of a guy who hasn't seen a lot of playing time but comes through with three hits – he stays ready, and our guys are trusting the process."
Notes
- Christopher Patterson finishes the weekend with hits in eight of his last ten at-bats with three RBI, four runs, and a steal.
- The longest active on-base streak for a Wildcat now belongs to Malik Stephens, who has reached safely in ten straight games.
- 14 Wildcat hits ties a season high – B-CU has reached the mark three times – all in the last two weeks.
Up Next
For the second time in as many weeks, the Wildcats will head south – this time to Miami Gardens for a rematch with the Panthers of FIU. That game gets underway Tuesday, April 26 at 7 p.m.
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--#HailWildcats--
