Daytona Beach, Fla. – The first series of the 2023 season will be the first Wildcats series win of the season as they walk-off the defending Patriot League regular season champions for the second time in as many games, Sunday morning at Jackie Robinson Ballpark.
How It Happened
The Wildcats nearly scratched a run across in the bottom of the first as a high popup by the DH
Robert Moya fell between three infielders. The pitch was ruled foul, stranding a Wildcat runner.
It would still be B-CU to strike first. In the bottom of the third,
Hylan Hall pushed a single through to score
Luis Tuero.
Robert Moya brought Hall in on an RBI double to quickly make it 2-0, Wildcats.
The quickly-played ballgame saw Lehigh break into the B-CU lead in the top of the sixth. Reigning Patriot League player of the year Casey Rother pushed a solo shot over the wall in left center. His second homer of the series made it 2-1.
As they have all series, Lehigh stuck around, tying the score at 2-2 in the top of the seventh on an RBI single from Tyler Young.
Starter
Daniel Gaviria enjoyed an excellent Sunday morning, working quickly through the Lehigh order. In seven full innings of work, he allowed two runs, both earned, on six hits with no walks and three punchouts. He took a tough no decision.
Derrius York took over to start the eighth, quickly retiring the heart of the Lehigh order 1-2-3.
A throwing error in the top of the ninth on a grounder from Joe Gorla gave the Mountain Hawks a 3-2 lead as Andrew Nole crossed the plate.
The Wildcats opened the bottom of the ninth with back-to-back walks, chasing the reliever Perich.
Jeremy Garcia pinch hit next. He laid down a textbook sacrifice bunt, but the throw to first went wide, scoring
Irvin Escobar to tie the game at 3-3.
It would be
Colton Olasin who would put B-CU on top. The senior's excellent series concluded with a walk-off RBI single, scoring Guzman from third and giving the Wildcats the 4-3 win.
York took the win. He pitched two innings, allowing a run on no hits, a walk, and a pair of strikeouts.
Notes
- Olasin finishes opening weekend 4-10 at the plate with four RBI, two walks, and a stolen base.
- Olasin, Tuero, and Hall each recorded multi-hit days.
- The Wildcats win their opening weekend series after dropping 2 of three last season to Youngstown State.
Up Next
With the season officially underway, midweek competition begins for B-CU as they travel to Miami to take on FIU, Tuesday Feb. 21.
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--#HailWildcats--
