Bethune-Cookman Suffers 8-7 loss to Jacksonville in NCAA Baseball Regional

Jacksonville’s Chuck Opachich hit a game-winning solo home run in the eighth inning to lead the Dolphins to an 8-7 win over the Wildcats Saturday afternoon in the NCAA Baseball Regional in Gainesville, Florida.

The Wildcats (32-28) had the tying and winning runs on base in the bottom of the ninth before the final out. 

“The intensity we showed and the pressure we put on them (Jacksonville) from the beginning was good,” said B-CU Coach Mervyl Melendez.  “Ali (Simpson) was not sharp today and he is a freshman and his arm and body are tired.”

B-CU starter Ali Simpson (9-2) pitched 2.0 innings and allowed five runs, five hits and back-to-back home runs in the third inning before being relieved. The five run third inning gave JU a 7-4 lead.  “Those five runs were the key to game, it got them back into it and ahead. We had to keep battling.” said Melendez.

Three Wildcat Home Runs Put B-CU Up Early 4-2

The Wildcats played long ball early hitting three home runs in the first two innings to take a 4-2 lead.  C. J. Lauriello hit a two run homer to left in the opening frame for a 2-0 B-CU lead.

Lauriello talked about the Wildcats' play at regionals and if the tough loss Friday night vs. Florida would carryover vs. Jacksonville. "We had a complete new mind set and put last night behind us and we got ahead early," said Lauriello. "We feel we can beat anybody and played tough today and both games here in the regional."

Solo home runs by Alejandro Jimenez and Drew Clark (Clark’s third straight game with a home run, three HRs in his four at bats) gave the Wildcats a 4-2 edge in the second inning.

Wildcats Tie Game 7-7 on Durrence Two-Run Single In 7th Inning

B-CU RBI leader Ryan Durrence ripped a single up the middle to score Justin Hoyte and Lauriello to tie the game at 7-7.

Melendez was asked at the post-game press conference about his teams' back-to-back heart-breaking 8-7 losses at regionals and will they ever break through and win a regional? "I know that our program is very good and people who play us know that they have to play excellent baseball to beat us," said Melendez. "Our guys fought hard and we came up short.  What we are doing at Bethune-Cookman, people recognize the work and effort our players and coaching staff put in. We have no regrets. We played and fought as hard as we could and the players deserve better (than the two tough losses)."