Outman's CG Helps NSU Split with UMES
PRINCESS ANNE, Md. – Matt Outman pitched his first complete game as a Spartan, and Ross Cardwell and Zach Markel had key RBI to help Norfolk State win game 2 against Maryland Eastern Shore 4-2 and earn a split of their doubleheader on Saturday at Hawks Field.
UMES (8-18, 4-7) won game 1 from NSU (11-19, 7-6) 6-5 on Justin Dattilo’s walk-off single in the ninth.
Outman (4-1) earned his team-leading fourth win of the year and did not allow an earned run in the seven-inning nightcap. Cardwell had the go-ahead RBI in NSU’s three-run fifth, then added insurance with a solo home run in the seventh, his first of the year.
As they did in the opener, the Hawks got on the board first. In the fourth, Stephen Bull reached on a fielder’s choice, and after an NSU error, scored when Jeffrey Fleetwood drew a bases-loaded walk from Outman.
NSU quickly answered with a three-run rally in the top of the fifth, all coming with two outs. Killian Strenn walked to lead off the inning, but UMES recorded a pair of outs on a strikeout from J.P. Black and a fielder’s choice grounder by Justin Burrell. But Omar Hotusing singled to move Burrell to second, and Justin Lee walked to load the bases.
Andre’ Moore and Cardwell then coaxed consecutive walks from Black to force in a pair of runs to give NSU the lead. Markel capped the rally with an RBI single, giving the Spartans a 3-1 edge.
Mike Escanilla’s RBI groundout got the Hawks within 3-2 in the bottom of the fifth, but Cardwell gave NSU some breathing room with a solo homer to left field in the top of the seventh of reliever Bernard Parker.
Outman made that lead stand up, but not without some tense moments in the bottom of the seventh. After a Tim Anderson flyout to start the inning, UMES loaded the bases thanks to a walk and a pair of infield singles. But Outman got Turlik to line into a 4-6 double play to end the game.
Outman allowed just five hits and two unearned runs over seven innings. He struck out a season-high six and pitched around a season-high seven walks. Black (0-2) allowed three runs in 4.2 innings to take the loss.
In game 1, the Hawks claimed the back-and-forth affair on a one-out walk-off RBI single by Dattilo in the bottom of the ninth, capping UMES’ rally from a 5-3 deficit after six innings.
UMES took a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the third on a two-out, two-run triple by Greg Turlik. But the Spartans scored five times in their next three innings to take the lead. In the fourth, Moore tripled and Cardwell’s sacrifice fly got NSU on the board. In the fifth, Lee hit a two-out, two-run double to give the Spartans the lead, and Moore followed with his second three-bagger in as many innings to give NSU a 4-2 lead.
Byron Campbell’s two-out RBI double cut UMES’ deficit in half in the bottom of the fifth, but the Spartans got that run back on a two-out, pinch-hit RBI single from Cameron Day.
The Hawks tied the game with two runs off just one hit and two NSU errors in the seventh. Joshua James led off by reaching on the first error of the inning. After an infield hit and another Spartan error, James scored on a fielder’s choice hit by Campbell. Bull, who walked earlier in the frame, eventually scored on a one-out bases-loaded walk to Dattilo, knotting the score at 5-all.
In the bottom of the ninth, the Hawks’ rally began when Bull singled for his fourth hit of the game to lead off the frame against Josh Vales. Campbell then walked to put two runners on and chase Vales from the game. NSU reliever Jeff Di Fulgo recorded an out on a failed sacrifice attempt by Turlik. But Dattilo, the next batter, singled through the right side to score Campbell with the winning run.
Bull was 4-for-4 with three runs scored in the opener. Campbell, Turlik and Dattilo had two RBI each for the Hawks.
Lee was 2-for-5 with two RBI and Moore was 2-for-3 with two triples for NSU in the opener.
Jordan Bone (2-0) earned the win for UMES by pitching a scoreless top of the ninth. Vales (1-4) took the loss, allowing one run in 1.1 innings of work.
Both starting pitchers pitched well but didn’t earn a decision. For NSU, right hander Stephen Butt allowed three runs, two earned, with six strikeouts in five innings. Jesse Stinnett yielded five runs in eight innings.
Moore was 3-for-6 for the doubleheader and Cardwell drove in three runs on the day. Bull was 6-for-8 for UMES.
The teams conclude their series with a noon game on Sunday.
For complete story, visit www.nsuspartans.com or www.umeshawks.com
Hornets score 25 runs in doubleheader sweep of Eagles
ANNE ARUNDEL, Md. --- Delaware State racked up 25 runs and 30 hits to sweep Coppin State in a MEAC North doubleheader at Joe Cannon Stadium today.
The Hornets took the opener 10-1 and bounced back from an early five-run deficit to win the seven-inning nightcap 15-7.
In game one, Matt McClain tossed his fourth complete game of the season and five players had at least two hits to lead the Hornets. McClain allowed six hits and an unearned run, while striking out a season-high eight batters to improve to 5-0 this season. He lowered his season earned run average to 2.25 with the performance.
David Kimbrough led the Hornets with three hits, while Cameron Onderko, Ron Farley, DJ Miller and Mitchell Moore collected two hits each. Mike Alexander smacked his fourth home run of the season in the contest.
Delaware State opened the scoring with a second inning run.
Alexander was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning. He stole second base and later scored the game’s first run on a two-out double by Miller.
The Hornets scored two runs in the fourth to open up a 3-0 lead.
Alexander was walked to lead off the DSU fourth. He advanced to third on a double by Farley and scored on a ground out by Hassan Evans. Farley scored the Hornets’ third run on Miller’s second RBI double of the game.
In the fifth inning, Delaware State scored a run on a wild pitch and Farley had a sacrifice fly to stretch its lead to 5-0.
Coppin State scored its run with two outs in the sixth inning to cut DSU’s lead to 5-1.
The Hornets pulled ahead 7-1 with two unearned runs in the seventh.
Delaware State closed out the scoring with three runs in the ninth inning.
Alexander led off the ninth with a home run, while Moore and Onderko had run-scoring singles in the inning.
In the nightcap, Delaware State trailed 5-1 before storming back. The Hornets combined for 14 runs in the fourth through sixth innings to take control of the game.
Charles Dailey was three-for-four with three runs batted in and Eddie Sorondo had three hits and two RBI in four at bats.
Five others Hornets had two hits each to highlight the Hornets’ 17-hit attack.
Delaware State opened the game two scoring with a run in the top of the first inning.
Coppin State tied the game with a run in the bottom of the first and added five runs in the second to grab a 6-1 lead.
The Hornets began their comeback with four runs in the fourth inning. Onderko had a two-run single in the fourth to cut the Eagles’ lead to 6-5. Dailey and Mitchell Moore also had run scoring hits in the fourth.
Delaware State put up another four-spot in the fifth inning to take the lead.
Farley singled in Alexander to tie the game at 6-6; and Miller drove in the go-ahead run on a sacrifice fly in the inning. Moore doubled in a run and Dailey added a run scoring single to give the Hornets a 9-6 lead.
After Coppin State scored a run in the bottom of the fifth to pull to within 9-7, DSU put six on the board in the top of the sixth to blow the game open.
Sorondo had a two-run single, while Dailey, Onderko and Kimbrough each singled in a sixth inning run. Aaron Nardone also produced a run on a sacrifice fly in the inning.
Eric Sharff was solid in relief to earn the win for the Hornets. Sharff allowed two hits and an unearned run in four innings to improve to 4-2 this season.
Miller had four hits in seven at bats in the twin-bill to raise his season average to .432. Kimbrough was five-for-10 in the two games to stand at .420.
Onderko, Farley, Moore and Dailey each collected four hits in the doubleheader.
The Hornets and Eagles will wrap up the series with a single game on Sunday. Game time is 1:00 p.m. at Joe Cannon Stadium in Hanover, Md.
For complete story, visit www.dsuhornets.com or www.coppinstatesports.com
FAMU Splits Doubleheader with Savannah State
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida A&M (14-20, 9-7 MEAC) split its conference doubleheader with Savannah State (13-23, 4-10 MEAC) on Saturday afternoon at Moore-Kittles Field. Michael Birdsong’s walk-off RBI single, with the bases loaded, in the ninth inning of game one propelled the Rattlers to a 6-5 victory while the Tigers took game two by a final of 8-3. Bennie Robinson and Jeremy Barlow combined to go 5-for-7 with four RBI in game one, while Ryan Kennedy went 2-for-2 and an RBI in game two.
William Carrasco (2-3) earned the win for FAMU in game one after pitching the final 3.2 scoreless innings of relief with three strikeouts. Carrasco has continued to pitch well in his last three outings. He is 2-0 with an 0.90 ERA in 10 innings of work, while striking out seven and only two walks, in those three appearances.
In game one, the Tigers scored first with a pair of runs in the first and third innings to take an early lead at 2-0. Charles Sikes’ RBI single through the left side plated Todd Hagen, who was hit-by-pitch to lead off the first inning. In the third, David Richards ripped a single into center field to bring home Hagen again, for his second run of the game.
Sikes led off the fourth inning with a solo home run, his third of the season, to push the Savannah State lead to 3-0.
Florida A&M came back and answered in a big way, with a five-run fourth inning, while batting around in the order to take its first lead of the game. Barlow got things started with a two-run home run over the left field fence to make the score 3-2. Kendal Weeks followed with a single and came around to score on Ryan Hutson’s RBI double to tie the game at 3-3. Hutson then moved to third as Logan Seymour laid down a nice sac bunt and Blake Quillin was hit-by-pitch to put runners on the corners. Robinson then scored both runners with an RBI double that gave the Rattlers the lead at 5-3.
Savannah State rallied to tie the game in the sixth inning at 5-5 as Marcus Wojtkowicz laced a two-run single down the right line with one out. Carrasco then came in to relieve FAMU starter Chase Jarrell. Carrasco struck out the first batter he faced before throwing out Tiger base runner Lee Moore trying to steal home to end the inning.
FAMU was very patient at the plate in the ninth inning putting them in position for the win. After a hit-by-pitch and two walks to load the bases with one out in the bottom of the ninth, Birdsong’s walk-off RBI single plated Quillin for the Rattler win by a final of 6-5.
In game two, the Tigers quickly took control by the score of 5-1 behind back-to-back home runs by Sikes. The first was a two-run home run in the first inning and the second came in the third inning, a three-run home run, for the Savannah State lead.
Florida A&M scored a run right back in the bottom of the first. Quillin led off with a double to right, advanced to third on a groundout by Robinson and later scored on a sac fly from Kennedy.
The Rattlers had a scoring opportunity in the third inning following consecutive two out hits from Robinson and Kennedy that placed runners on the corners, but Marlon Gibbs flew out to center stranding the runners.
SSU scored three additional runs in the fifth inning to increase its lead to 8-1. Richards, Sikes and Parker Nix each recorded RBI singles in the inning to account for the scoring.
FAMU cut into the Tiger lead at 8-3 with a couple of runs in the bottom of the fifth inning. Quillin scored from second on a throwing error from Savannah State third basemen Zachary Brigham and Gibbs RBI single accounted for the final run of the day for the Rattlers
David Duncan (2-4) took the loss for Florida A&M in game two.
Savannah State reliever Eric Ricks (3-4) suffered the game one loss, giving up the winning run after pitching the bases loaded in the ninth. Tiger starter Brandon Whitmore (3-4) won game two while allowing three runs in six innings of work.
Sikes went 5-for-8 with three home runs, eight RBI and three runs scored on the day for Savannah State.
The Rattlers and Tigers close out their season series on Sunday at 1:00 pm at Moore-Kittles Field.
For complete story, visit www.famuathletics.com or www.ssuathletics.com
Bethune-Cookman Battles North Carolina Central to a Series-Opening Sweep in Durham
DURHAM, N.C. - Saturday’s series-opening doubleheader at Durham Athletic Park between the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats (19-19, 11-6 MEAC) and the North Carolina Central Eagles (14-21, 9-7 MEAC) provided all the drama one would expect in a battle for the conference divisional leader position. And the Wildcats rose to the occasion, recording wins of 9-3 and 3-2 to earn the sweep and move into the lead of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Southern division.
The Wildcats got on the board early in the doubleheader’s opening contest, as left fielder Eros Modena scored from second on third baseman Jordan Robinson’s RBI double down the third base line in the top of the second.
After stranding a pair of NCCU runners in the bottom half, the Wildcats followed up in a big way in the third, as first baseman Eric Sams reached as a hit batter and second baseman Matt Noble battled to a 10-pitch walk, both scoring on Austin Garcia’s single deep down the left field line, aided by an error by NCCU left fielder Bryant Battle. Garcia would score as well on a Modena sacrifice fly, touching the plate after catcher James Dey couldn’t hold onto the ball for the tag during a collision in the baseline. Josh Johnson capped the frame’s scoring, coming in from third on Zach Olszewski’s single to the shortstop, pushing the Wildcats ahead 5-0.
In the fourth, Garcia would put another on the board for the Wildcats, batting in Sams on an RBI line drive single into shallow left field. Noble made the B-CU advantage 7-0, scoring on Johnson’s sacrifice bunt.
In the bottom half, NCCU center fielder Kory Wood broke up starter Keith Zuniga’s shutout, capitalizing on a one-out single and another batter reaching on an infield error, bringing in the Eagles’ first score on an RBI single to left field. Right fielder Carlos Ortiz narrowed the B-CU advantage to four with a two-run double to the right field wall.
Behind Zuniga and reliever Christopher Waltermire, the Wildcats kept NCCU quiet for the remaining frames, re-establishing their lead in the sixth, first scoring Sams on another Garcia RBI single, with Noble capping the scoring on Johnson’s sacrifice fly, pushing the B-CU advantage out to 9-3.
Zuniga (5-3) earned the victory for the Wildcats, pitching five complete frames with three earned runs allowed and three strikeouts. Waltermire pitched a career-high four innings, allowing no hits and no runs for his first save of the year; second of his career. For the Eagles, starter Kyle Shields (3-2) takes the loss, striking out one in three innings on the mound, allowing four earned runs.
At the plate in game one, Garcia topped the Wildcats with a 3-for-5 performance, batting in three runs and scoring one of his own. Johnson was 1-for-2 with two RBI and a run, while both Noble and Sams were 1-for-3 with three runs scored each.
While the hitters rose to the forefront of the first outing, the hurlers took lead in game two, as B-CU starter Montana Durapau and NCCU starter Terry McNabb each dealt six one-out, shutout innings into the final frame, when the hitters’ sense of urgency rose to the occasion.
In the seventh and final inning of regulation play, pinch hitter Jake Welch reached base as a hit batter with one out away and an 0-2 count. Stealing second and reaching third on a pickoff error by catcher Carter Williamson, Welch crossed the plate on a two-out Modena RBI double to right center field, putting the first Wildcats run on the board with just the second hit of the game. Modena went on to score and move the B-CU advantage to 2-0 on catcher Jose Carballo’s RBI single to shallow center.
However, the Eagles rose to the challenge as well. NCCU opened the bottom half with consecutive base hits from Battle and Travis Triplett, and Eric Kimber walked to load the bases. Second baseman Jake Kehagias got the Eagles on the board with a sacrifice fly to center field and pinch runner Malik Steward scored on Zack Lee’s RBI groundout, again bringing the game to a tie.
Coming out of the bullpen with two runners on, Donte Lindsay faced Ortiz, a fellow Cleveland, Ohio native. Although Ortiz battled to a six-pitch full count, Lindsay secured the looking strikeout to squash the NCCU momentum and send the game to extra innings.
In the eighth, Sams hit a crucial leadoff single to right center field and advanced on a Bryant Munoz sacrifice bunt. Taking on his second at-bat of the game, Welch was again key, bringing in Sams from second on a two-out single to left field, pushing the Wildcats ahead 3-2.
With one runner on in the bottom half, Lindsay yielded to Michael Austin, who showed calm resolve in dispatching the first two outs on a sac bunt and a fly to right field. With a runner in scoring position, Austin worked through pinch hitter Conrad Kovalcik’s patient approach, securing an eight-pitch looking strikeout to secure the 3-2 win and the opening day sweep.
Logging a third of an inning, Lindsay (1-1) earns the win for the Wildcats, while Austin logged his third save of the year. In his six innings, Durapau allowed only three hits and matched his season high with eight strikeouts. For the Eagles, McNabb (2-5) went the distance, pitching eight innings with six hits and eight strikeouts.
Welch finished 1-for-1 with the game-winning RBI and the first run scored of the game, while Modena and Carballo each recorded RBI.
With the two-win day for the Wildcats, they move into the driver’s seat of the MEAC Southern division, taking a one-and-a-half game lead on NCCU and Florida A&M, which split its series with Savannah State on Saturday in Tallahassee, Fla.
The Wildcats look to keep their distance in Sunday’s series finale at the Durham Athletic Park, with first pitch between the Eagles and Wildcats set for 1 p.m.
For complete story, visit www.bcuathletics.com or www.nccueaglepride.com