MACON, Ga. - The Bethune-Cookman Wildcats (2-4) led for five
innings against the Mercer Bears (4-1) in a twice rescheduled series opener, falling victim to a
sixth-inning rally, en route to a 9-4 loss Saturday at Claude Smith Field.
Facing the worst weather conditions of the early season
(48 degrees at first pitch), the Wildcats went to work quickly on offensively,
as second batter Eros Modena smacked a single up the middle to open a big
scoring frame for B-CU, followed up by David Lee reaching base on a 4-0 walk. An
Anthony Stokes backside double to outer right field brought in Modena for the
first run. Matt Noble made it count,
snapping his doubles streak (4) with a line shot single inside third base,
sending both Lee and Stokes home for the opening 3-0 lead.
"We did a great job of striking first, coming right out
of the box aggressive and scoring three runs," Head Coach Jason Beverlin noted.
Mercer countered in the bottom of the second with a
Derrick Workman RBI, but B-CU starter Ali Simpson finished the frame with
minimal damage, holding a 3-1 lead.
Simpson and the Wildcats kept their grip on the lead
through three frames, escaping a bases-loaded jam in the third, before retiring
six consecutive Bears batters. The tie run reached on a throwing error,
extending the inning long enough for the Bears to gain an advantage. Meanwhile,
Mercer battled at the plate, growing Simpson's pitch count, and forcing the
Wildcats to look to the bullpen with two outs and a runner on base.
"We didn't make a couple routine plays that need to be
made," Beverlin said, "and that's just something we really need to get better
at."
Entering in relief, Chris Waltermire struggled to close
the frame, surrendering three consecutive scoring hits for four unearned runs,
ending the inning with a Nick Backlund pop-up to shortstop, trailing 6-3.
The Bears went on to score three additional runs in the seventh
and eighth.
Anthony Stokes capped off a big-hitting performance with
a first pitch home run beyond the right center wall, giving the Wildcats a
chance to battle back, but the Bears retired the final out of the inning with a
Wildcats runner in scoring position, the eighth of the game.
MU's Stephen Glaze shut the door in the ninth with a pair
of strikeouts to close the 9-4 comeback victory for the Bears.
Workman led the Bears with a 2-of-3 batting performance,
topping the team with three RBI. Reliever David Teasley (3-0) earned the win
for MU, throwing to two B-CU batters, while starter Brandon Barker collected
nine strikeouts.
Stokes led the B-CU effort at the plate, batting 3-for-4
with two RBI and two runs scored. Simpson completed 5.2 innings for the
Wildcats, allowing just one earned run and striking out four Bears batters.
"I thought Ali [Simpson] did a great job of battling and
keeping us in the game," Beverlin said. "He didn't necessarily have his best
stuff, but he made some big pitches when he needed to."
Waltermire (0-1) collected the loss on his 0.1 inning
appearance.
The Wildcats will conclude the series with Mercer on Sunday
at Claude Smith Field, with a doubleheader beginning at noon.
For all the latest information on the Bethune-Cookman
Wildcats, follow the official Twitter feed, @BCUathletics, or "Like
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