NORFOLK, Va. - The Bethune-Cookman Wildcats (33-24) earned another day in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Baseball Championships, holding off the North Carolina Central Eagles (27-29) in a 7-3 elimination bracket contest, earning their second win of the day.
“I couldn't be happier,” Head Coach Jason Beverlin said. “The energy and focus they showed for 18 straight innings was outstanding, especially the second game.”
The Wildcats carried over the energy from the first game and got off to a hot offensive start in the second elimination bracket game of the day, jumpstarted by Eric Sams' two-out first inning home run beyond the right field wall, taking the lead in the opening frame.
Playing in his first game since April 6 (at Florida A&M), catcher Chris Biocic got right back into the swing of the game, firing an RBI single through the right side in his first at-bat, set up by Anthony Stokes' leadoff double.
Carrying a 2-0 lead into the third, the Wildcats capitalized for the big inning needed for some separation, as Josh Johnson set the play with a leadoff double to left field, brought home on Brandon Turner's RBI single fired up the middle.
Eros Modena made NCCU long reliever Gavin Guarrera feel unwelcome in his first appearance of the tournament, staring down two outs to plate two runs on a first-pitch triple to right center, granting the Wildcats a 5-0 advantage.
The Eagles broke through and put their mark on the scoreboard in the top of the fourth first notching a run on a Carter Williamson RBI double to the right center gap, adding another on an RBI walk to draw the Wildcats' lead down to 5-2.
Turner provided a response in the bottom half with another hot shot RBI single, this time through the left side, bringing in Shaun McCarty, building the lead back out to four runs and making it four consecutive scoring innings for B-CU.
Though the Wildcats threatened, Guarrera held the Wildcats scoreless through the next three innings, allowing some breathing room for the Eagles to trim B-CU's lead to three runs in the top of the sixth on Luis Diaz' RBI double deep down the right field line.
With two Wildcats on base and two outs in the eighth, Jacob Russell assumed control of the mound from Guarrera. Sams backsided his first pitch just outside of the reach of the shortstop to score Johnson and push the Wildcats' lead to 7-3.
After two solid innings of relief from freshman Byron Ferguson, senior closer Jordan Dailey took over pitching duties in the ninth, with the game on the line and NCCU making a bid for the rally. Dailey used a pair of strikeouts and one grounder to secure the win and another day staying alive in the tournament for the Wildcats.
“Defensively, we were very solid and then we had some guys step up pitching as well,” Beverlin said.
The B-CU pitching staff made big pitches in crucial situations, stranding 12 NCCU runners on base, including 10 that reached scoring position, while overcoming three bases loaded situations with just three total runs allowed.
Christopher Waltermire (5-2) earned the win after taking over pitching from starter Michael Austin in the top of the fourth. Austin pitched 3 1/3 innings, allowing three hits and two earned runs, striking out one. Waltermire threw 2 2/3 frames, allowing four hits and striking out two.
Turner made his presence known throughout the game, sporting a 4-for-5 batting performance with two RBI and one run earned. Sams was solid at the plate, batting 2-for-4 with two RBI and two runs scored, in addition to making outstanding defensive plays while racking up 10 assists. Johnson continued his effort from the first game, batting 2-for-4 and scoring two runs against NCCU.
“Top to bottom, offensively, we did a really good job,” Beverlin noted.
With the victory, the Wildcats advance to Saturday's semifinal, facing the loser of tomorrow's Savannah State/Coppin State matchup with a 5 p.m. first pitch.
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