NORFOLK, Va. - PJ Biocic dealt a four inning no-hit relief performance to preserve the 4-1 Bethune-Cookman (34-24) lead over Coppin State (18-33) through the final out of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Baseball Championships semifinal, Saturday at Marty L. Miller Field. With the win, the Wildcats advance to the Championship for the eighth consecutive season, despite a first round loss.

 

Utilizing the style that brought them to the semifinal, the Wildcats again got to work early with David Lee bringing home Brandon Turner and reaching third courtesy of a dropped fly ball in left field for the 1-0 lead after one complete.

 

B-CU ramped it up again and put pressure on the Eagles in the bottom of the second, with Eros Modena beating the throw on a base hit to lead off, and later scoring on Matt Noble’s first-pitch RBI triple to the right center wall. The Wildcats tacked up another score as Noble came home on a wild pitch for the 3-0 lead.

 

A one-out walk came back to bite the Wildcats in the top of the third. After advancing to third on a single, Chris Kashangaki scored on David Hamlett’s fielder’s choice; the Eagles’ lone score of the contest.

 

However, the Wildcats were quick to reclaim the run, capping the game’s scoring with a Modena sacrifice fly in the home half of the inning, granting B-CU a 4-1 advantage.

 

From the fourth forward, it was a pitcher’s game, as starter Ali Simpson (4-7) turned in a commanding performance for his 23rd birthday, evading jams all game and going on to earn the win after giving just the one run in five innings. Simpson struck out four Eagles batters in the victory.

 

Coppin State starter Anderson Burgess (2-5) absorbed the loss after going six frames, handing off to Michael Roberts for the final two innings. The duo combined to hold the Wildcats scoreless for five innings.

 

On the other side of the coin, Biocic earned his first career save after four no-hit innings on the bump, striking out six CSU batters, including two swinging to shut the door on the final frame.

 

Aiding Biocic with the first out of the ninth, Matt Noble robbed leadoff hitter Ian Arciaga of a sure double, making a highlight-reel leaping play to snatch the hot, high line drive.

 

At the plate, Noble also turned in a strong performance, batting 2-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored. Anthony Stokes was 2-for-4 and Eros Modena was 1-for-3 with an RBI.

 

For the complete story, visit www.bcuathletics.com.