Florida A&M And Norfolk State Split Saturday
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (May 7) - Florida A&M team scored four runs in the fifth inning to lift themselves to a 6-4 win over Norfolk State in game one, but would fall to the Spartans, 9-8 in game two of a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference doubleheader, Saturday afternoon at Moore-Kittles Field.
In game one, FAMU (17-34, 6-11 MEAC) tallied nine hits, while NSU (18-26-8-8 MEAC) garnered a game high 16 hits.
The Rattlers were paced by Justin Abney and Tobi Adeyemi as they both finished with two hits each, while Ryan Montgomery finished four-for-four from the plate to lead the Spartans.
Adrian Talton (1-2) picked the win for FAMU as he gave three hits and struck out two in one and two-third innings in relief, while Stephen Dollar (1) picked up his first save of the season allowing one hit and striking out one in one inning on the mound.
Ryan Van Assche (5-6) received the loss for NSU as he gave up eight hits, two earned runs and striking out five in seven innings.
The Rattlers took a 4-2 lead in the bottom of the fifth inning as Reginald Grant grounded out to the first baseman scoring Abney. Then John Scott would score on a Spartans error, followed by Antonio Kilpatrick single scoring both Adam Decker and Jarryd Reid.
NSU would pick a pair of runs as they scored one run in the top of the sixth on FAMU infielder's error scoring Montgomery. Then Montgomery would single in the top of the seventh scoring John Rasberry, knotting the score at 4-4 after six and one-half innings of play.
FAMU would plate a pair of runs in the bottom of the seventh for the 6-4 win as Grant scored on an Adeyemi single. Then Adeyemi would score on a NSU infielder's error.
In game two, the Spartans would score five in the top of the third as the held off a Rattler late inning rally for the 9-8 win.
NSU garnered game high 13 hits, while FAMU finished with 10.
Kilpatrick and Reid paced the Rattlers as they both finished with two hits each, while Chris Warren tallied three hits to lead the Spartans.
Jordan Egan (3-2) picked the win for NSU as he gave up seven hits, five earned runs and striking out five in five innings of work, while Jose Linton (2-7) took the loss for FAMU allowing seven hits, seven earned runs and striking out five in five innings of work.
The Spartans grabbed a 7-2 lead after plating five runs in the top of the third inning.
But FAMU would slowly creep back into the game as they scored two runs in the bottom of the third inning as Reid tripled to left field scoring Kilpatrick. Then Reid would score on a wild pitch, cutting NSU's lead to 7-4.
Brandon Hairston would increase the Spartans' lead as he scored on a wild pitch, making the score 8-4 in favor of NSU.
A Terrell single up the middle scored both Kilpatrick and Adeyemi, cutting NSU lead to 8-6 in the bottom of the fifth inning.
NSU made the score 9-6 as Hairston scored on a Montgomery single in the top of the sixth inning.
Grant and Decker would score the Rattlers final two runs of the game for the 9-8 final as Grant scored on a Reid single. Then Decker would score on a Spartans infielder's error.
For the complete story, visit www.nsuspartans.com or www.famuathletics.com
Bethune-Cookman Wins Doubleheader Against Delaware State
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - Facing off with Delaware State in the final MEAC series of the regular season, the Wildcats jumped out to a great start in game one, collecting the shutout with a 9-0 victory that B-CU controlled from the start. Coming back for the second half of the double-header, B-CU's offensive output wasn't as high, but the defense picked up the slack, holding off DSU for the 3-2 win.
GAME ONE
The Wildcats made big plays starting in the first frame of game one, getting out of a bases loaded situation with a pitcher to catcher to first double play. Offensively, B-CU followed it up immediately with the first leadoff home run of the year, as Matt Wright hit a high drifting homer over the left field fence, preceding an Alejandro Sanchez homer over the left field scoreboard just three pitches later; only the third time this year the Wildcats have notched back-to-back homers
DJ Leonard extended the lead in the third with a sacrifice fly to bring Ryan Durrence across home plate.
After four innings without runs, Wright picked up another RBI to ignite the B-CU offense with a solid triple to right center, sending David Lee home. Sanchez picked up another of his own, making it consecutive Wildcat runs again on a sacrifice fly to left, bringing Wright home.
Nick Johnson kept the offense going in the bottom of the eighth with an RBI single just over the second baseman's head. Brashad Johnson followed up with an RBI double to left field on the very next pitch. The next pitch went wild, allowing N. Johnson to come home, and then Sanchez earned another RBI on a single through the left side extending the B-CU lead to nine runs.
After starter Gabriel Hernandez only allowed two hits beyond the first inning with five strikeouts and one walk in 6.1 innings, Jordan Dailey showed out for the Bad Body Bullpen, putting the game away in nearly perfect fashion. Dailey pitched 2.2 with no hits and a single walk to complete the shutout at 9-0 and earn his eighth save of the year.
Home run aside, Sanchez had an all-around great day at the plate, leading the Wildcats with 3-4 hitting and three RBI, just ahead of fellow long-ball hitter Wright, who came out 2-4 with two RBI. Emmanuel Castro also hit 3-4 for game one.
GAME TWO
The Wildcats claimed the victory in game two on the strength of early scoring and gritty defense to stunt a Delaware State rally attempt and hold on for the 3-2 victory, completing the 2-0 sweep of day one in the series.
The Wildcats went to work early on offense, creating some separation in the second inning. Nick Johnson took one yard in left field, putting it in the batting cages to send himself and DJ Leonard in for the lead. Later in the inning, center fielder David Lee picked up his first RBI of the series with a single to right center. Brashad Johnson scored off Lee's single for the Wildcats last run of the game.
Though It took the Hornets 15 innings to score in the series, they quickly brought it tight in the sixth inning of game two, narrowing the Wildcat lead to just one run on a two-RBI single.
DSU made it a little bit too close for comfort, but closer Chris Anselmo completed the sweep for the Bad Body Bullpen earning saves, putting the Hornets to bed in the seventh with a swinging strikeout, a fly out to left, and a looking strikeout to preserve the 3-2 victory and the 2-0 lead in the series. Wrapping up the inning, Anselmo collected his third save.
Nick Johnson's homer topped the Wildcats, as he went 1-3 with 2 RBI, while Peter O'Brien went 2-3 and Matt Wright hit 1-3.
Scott Garner (7-2) pitched six innings with two strikeouts and two earned runs in the win.
For the complete story, visit www.bcuathletics.com or www.dsuhornets.com
Oelker, Macklin Lead Aggies to DH Sweep
GREENSBORO - Senior Nick Oelker led the Aggies to a 9-2 win over Coppin State in the second game of a Saturday doubleheader at War Memorial Stadium.
The Aggies won the first game 11-7. Oelker pitched his final game at War Memorial Stadium On Saturday. The Aggies will honor Oelker Sunday at noon as a part of Senior Day. He celebrated early by pitching a complete-game five-hitter. He also struck out nine and surrendered only one earned run.
Craig Richmond got to Oelker early with an RBI single to center field to score Chris Kashangaki in the first inning. The other run came on an error later in the inning to give Coppin State a 2-0 lead. Oelker was stingy from there. He set the Eagles down in order on three different occasions.
Xavier Macklin and Marquis Ruffin led the Aggies offensively. Riley went 3-for-4 with three runs scored and two RBIs. Macklin added a 3-for-3 performance with three singles and two RBIs. Three errors in the third inning by Coppin State catcher Alex Black led to four Aggie runs. Freeman scored the Aggies first run as a double steal led to Black throwing the ball into left field to allow Freeman to come home.
Riley's RBI single scored Carvell Copeland from third to tie the game at 2. After Riley reached second on a wild pitch, Macklin's single brought him home to give the Aggies the lead. Macklin gave the Aggies a 4-2 lead when he stole third and an errant throw to third allowed him to score.
Luke Tendler and Stefan Jordan added RBIs in the fifth to give the Aggies a 7-2 lead. John Bergwell (1-8) took the loss in Game 2.
The first game spark came from sophomore catcher Ryan Carlton. Carlton skipped a double down the left field line to open the seventh inning against Coppin State. The double led to an 8-run, 8-hit seventh inning for the Aggies. Carlton liked his double down the left field line so much; he did it twice in the same inning as he scored the inning's first and final runs.
Before Carlton's doubles, the Aggies led just 3-2 as Macklin hit a two-run homer in the sixth to give the Aggies the lead. After Carlton's double, Kelvin Freeman doubled to give the Aggies a 4-2 advantage. Andre McKoy followed with an RBI single. After McKoy moved to third, Riley scored him on a sacrifice fly to put the Aggies ahead 6-2.
Macklin, who ranks among the nation's active career leaders in home runs and RBIs, added to his total with his second home run of the game. It was his 44th career home run and his 173rd RBI.
The Aggies went into the ninth leading 11-2, but the Eagles rallied with five runs. Caleb Shelton came in to end the comeback attempt by getting Zach Spahn to groundout. It was Shelton's first save of the season. Esterlin Paulino (5-5) picked up the win after giving up just two runs and striking out nine over eight innings.
Macklin had a total of seven hits on the day as he went 4-for-5 in the first game. Freeman and Mark Nales had two RBIs apiece. N.C. A&T improved 17-29 overall and 8-8 in the MEAC.
For the complete story, visit www.ncataggies.com or www.coppinstatesports.com