June 2, 2012

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GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The Bethune-Cookman Wildcats were eliminated from the NCAA Baseball Championships, Saturday at McKethan Stadium, on the heels of a big fifth inning for College of Charleston, which led to an 8-2 loss at the Gainesville Regional.

“Tough way to end the season, no doubt,” said Head Coach Jason Beverlin. “With as many strides as we've made as a team, I felt it was pretty disappointing that we didn't come out with a little more energy and fight in us than we had today.”

The Cougars (38-21) got on the board in the first frame, but the contest remained close until back to back scoring innings, including six consecutive hits, vaulted C of C to an 8-0 lead, while holding the Wildcats (34-27) without a hit through the middle innings.

B-CU converted consecutive hitting at-bats into runs in the sixth, as catcher Carlos Delgado put a shot up the middle that spurred off the bag at second to generate B-CU's first hit. Next pitch out Josh Johnson hit his first career home run into the left field stands to narrow the deficit to 8-2.

The score remained, as only two hits came from the final three frames, giving the victory to C of C, and elimination the Wildcats from the tournament with an 0-2 record.

The Wildcats finish the 2012 season with a record of 34-27, a landmark year for Jason Beverlin, logging the most wins for a first year head coach, despite playing with a 21-man roster. Only losing five to graduation and supplementing the roster with a huge incoming recruiting class, fans can only expect great things from the young staff.

Now B-CU's attention sways briefly to the MLB Draft (June 4-6), in which at least a pair of Wildcats could hear their names called, led by starting right-hander Rayan Gonzalez, who rung up a 9-2 record and 2.14 ERA on his senior season.