March 18, 2008

Box Score

Daytona Beach, Fla. - Bethune-Cookman University used an amazing four-run seventh inning to grab a come-from-behind 6-5 victory over Florida Gulf Coast on Tuesday night at Jackie Robinson Ballpark in Daytona Beach.

B-CU (11-6) started out the day with two runs in the second and third inning, respectively, to go ahead 2-0 early in the contest.

Senior shortstop Jose Lozada's team-leading third homerun of the season came with a solo shot to left to lift the `Cats, 2-0 in the third frame.

Freshman starter Samuel Rodriguez seemed to have little trouble on the mound until the fourth frame when the visitors from Ft. Meyers, Fla. Took aim at the freshman.

"Sammy was leaving his breaking ball up, and he was not locating his pitches very well today," admitted B-CU head coach Mervyl Melendez. "He had a much better outing last week against Mercer and USF. He just had a tough day today, but he is a freshman and he has to be able to work out of jams like he had today."

The Eagles of FGCU (14-5) used a huge five-run fourth frame to grab the lead at 5-2.

While batting around the order, the Eagles' Vinny Scarduzio collected a two-run scoring triple to right center at the deep Jackie Robinson Ballpark fence for his first of the year. FGCU added another run later in the inning with a fielder's choice RBI from leadoff batter Josh Upchurch as he plated catcher Graig Smith. B-CU's Rodriguez was relieved on the bump by fellow Freshman Roman Lancara who collected the final two outs in the frame.

In the seventh inning, the Wildcats mounted an amazing comeback with four runs of their own.

In the frame, B-CU got a big contribution from an error charged to the FGCU infield--their only error of the game. That allowed designated hitter Chris Brown to score to cut the game to 5-3. The `Cats added two runs from a single by Jose Ortiz that plated Patrick Jones and left fielder Justin Hoyte.

With the game tied at 5-5, B-CU scored the go-ahead and game-winning run off the bat of Lozada when he chipped in a single to cross Mark Brooks for the 6-5 decision.

On the hill, it was Lancara evening his record at 1-1 on the year, while teammate Eric Thomas earned his first save of the season in one inning on the mound in the ninth. With the B-CU bullpen struggling recently, Coach Melendez elected to go with a starter in Thomas to try and earn the save.

The loss went to FGCU's Tim Kiley who dropped to 0-1 on the season out of the bullpen. The Eagles starter Patrick Nathanson went 6.2 frames on the mound, giving up five runs (two earned) on seven hits in a no-decision contest. He also struck out six batters in the process.

For the Eagles at the plate, they were aided by the bat of designated hitter Mikel Alvarez who was 2-for-4 at the dish, as well as teammates Ozzie Borrell and Casey Coleman with two hits a piece, respectively.

B-CU was led by Lozada with a perfect 4-for-4 day at the plate--the fourth time this season he ahs been perfect at the dish. Behind him was Ortiz with his only hit of the day going for a two-run score. He also scored a run himself, as well as Brooks with a hit and a run.

The two teams will meet back a Jackie Robinson Ballpark tomorrow afternoon at 3 p.m. for the second of the two-game midweek series. Live stats will be available through Game Tracker at www.BCCathletics.com.