Norfolk State earns split with Delaware State
NORFOLK, Va. – Junior right hander Corey Haynes struck out the only two hitters he faced with the bases loaded in the top of the seventh inning to help Norfolk State hold off Delaware State 7-5 in the nightcap, earning a split of a lengthy MEAC Northern Division doubleheader on Saturday at Marty L. Miller Field.
The Hornets (13-10, 4-4 MEAC) rallied from deficits of five and four runs to take the opener, 14-10, from the Spartans (9-17, 6-4), who maintain their slim lead over DSU and Coppin State (5-5) in the division.
Chase Kyriacou and Justin Burrell had four hits apiece during the doubleheader, while Burrell and Ross Cardwell both drove in four runs on the day for NSU.
DSU seemed to have an answer for every NSU scoring rally, except the last one in the nightcap of a doubleheader that spanned nearly seven hours of the day. NSU led 4-0 early in the nightcap. Cardwell knocked in Justin Lee with a groundout in the first and the Spartans put together a three-run second inning. The frame included RBI singles by Omar Hotusing and Andre’ Moore and a run-scoring groundout by Lee.
But DSU got three back thanks to two errors and an RBI single by Cameron Onderko in the top of the third, cutting the NSU lead to 4-3.
Burrell had one of the key hits in the game, though, hitting a two-run single to right-center in the bottom of the third to make it 6-3.
Both teams scored once in the fifth, DSU on Aaron Nardone’s sacrifice fly and NSU on a Burrell sacrifice fly.
That set the stage for a wild top of the seventh inning. Jeff Di Fulgo, who pitched out of the Spartan bullpen in both games, was strong through two frames of the nightcap but tired in the seventh, walking Charles Dailey and Onderko to lead off the seventh. He was replaced by Jonathan Mauricio, who got one out before surrendering an RBI double to Nardone to trim the Spartans’ lead to 7-5. Mauricio then issued a walk to Mike Alexander to load the bases.
NSU turned to Haynes, the fifth pitcher of the ballgame for the Spartans. He fanned Ron Farley on a 3-2 curve ball out of the zone, then struck out Hassan Evans swinging on an inside fastball to earn the save and close out the win.
Justin Bhatti (2-4), who also pitched in relief in both games, earned the win in game 2 with two-thirds of an inning of work. The save was the first in the NSU career of Haynes.
Eric Sharff (2-2) took the loss for DSU, allowing six runs in 2.2 innings of work.
Kyriacou was 2-for-3 and scored twice in game 2, while Burrell was 1-for-2 with a career-high three RBI.
Game 1 last just shy of four hours (3:52) and saw 31 hits, 24 runs, six errors and eight pitchers used. After not holding a lead for the first eight innings, the Hornets scored four times in the top of the ninth inning to put away NSU. David Kimbrough led off with a single and scored on a long RBI double by Dailey. Pinch hitter Farley singled in Dailey on the next pitch, and Nardone’s sacrifice fly scored pinch runner Justin Allen to make it 13-10. DSU tacked on one more on an errant pickoff throw by NSU’s Cooper Jones.
It was the Spartans who had the bats going early, scoring five times in the first two innings. Cardwell got NSU on the board first with a long two-out double to score Lee. The next batter, Zach Markel, hit a long drive deep into the right-center gap that DSU right fielder Evans dropped, allowing Cardwell to score. Kyriacou followed with a drive to almost the exact same spot but this one found the grass on its own for another run-scoring double.
In the second, Cardwell and Markel both hit two-out RBI singles to extend the lead to 5-0.
But the Hornets broke loose against NSU starter Matt Outman in the top of the third. Outman walked three in the frame, the last of which forced in DSU’s first run. Evans lined a two-run double and Eddie Sorondo stroked a two-run single to tie the game.
NSU regained the lead in the bottom of the fourth on Cardwell’s third RBI of the game, coming via a groundout to plate Burrell. After DSU tied things with a single tally in the top of the fifth, Burrell also played a key role in helping the Spartans retake the lead once again. His two-out RBI single scored Kyriacou with the go-ahead run, keying a four-run innings for the Spartans. DSU also made two two-out errors to allow three more runs to score as NSU extended its lead to 10-6.
But the Hornets again had the answer. They cut their deficit in half with two-out RBI from Kimbrough and Dailey in the top of the seventh, then tied it on Alexander’s two-run single in the eighth.
Jones (0-3) took the loss, allowing four runs (two earned) in two innings of work. DSU’s Harry Thomas (2-1) earned the win with 1.2 scoreless innings of relief.
Burrell matched his career high in hits, going 3-for-4 with three RBI in the opener. He was 4-for-6 on the day. Lee was 2-for-4 with three runs scored, while Kyriacou (2-for-4) and Cardwell (2-for-5, three RBI) also had multi-hit games in the first contest.
Kimbrough was 4-for-5 and Cecil 3-for-5 in the opener for DSU.
The teams conclude their three-game series with a single contest starting at noon on Sunday.
For complete story, visit www.nsuspartans.com or www.dsuhornets.com
Bethune-Cookman Bounces Back From Opener to Split Opener with Florida A&M
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - It was a tale of two completely opposite games at Jackie Robinson Ballpark on Saturday, as the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats (16-17, 8-5 MEAC) and Florida A&M Rattlers (11-18, 8-5 MEAC) split the series opening doubleheader, with FAMU taking the opener, 5-1, and B-CU racking up the runs for an 8-1 game two victory.
The Wildcats went to work early in game one of the doubleheader, as first baseman Eric Sams opened the day with a leadoff double to left field. Two batters later, third baseman Jordan Robinson capitalized on the opportunity with a double of his own, bringing Sams in to grant B-CU the early 1-0 advantage.
Although the Rattlers logged base runners in each of the first five innings, starter Gabriel Hernandez and the Wildcats defenders kept FAMU off the board, but the Rattlers finally converted in the sixth, using a Jeremy Barlow RBI groundout to knot the score up at 1-1.
The game resumed its pitcher’s duel status into the final inning, when FAMU got the bats going against the B-CU relievers, as center fielder Jared Walker batted in Kendall weeks to take the 2-1 lead. However, the Rattlers made their move in a big way, reeling off three additional runs on RBI by Bennie Robinson and Ryan Kennedy, all with two outs on the board, pushing FAMU ahead 5-1.
With no response from the Wildcats in the bottom half, the four-run deficit went final. For B-CU, Christopher Waltermire (1-4) took the loss, pitching one and 1/3 innings, and allowing the go-ahead run to reach in the ninth. For FAMU, Williams Carrasco earned the win, pitching the final three frames with no runs allowed.
Imposing their will to win in the second outing of the doubleheader, the Wildcats again went up early, but maintained steady pressure to come away with a big game two victory.
Again, Sams led off with a hit, and again J. Robinson brought him in on a double, but second baseman Matt Noble followed with a double of his own, and left fielder Eros Modena capped the trio of two-baggers with a two-run double to the left center wall, pushing the Wildcats ahead 3-0 in the opening frame.
After three shutout innings behind starter Keith Zuniga, the Rattlers reached the board in the top of the fourth on Michael Birdsong’s power shot through first base, bringing in B. Robinson to narrow the deficit to 3-1.
However, in the bottom half, the Wildcats responded in a major way, opening with consecutive base hits. Center fielder Julian Santos made it three in a row with a two-run roped single down the first base line. J. Robinson capped off the three-run inning with a sacrifice fly to bring Santos in and give the Wildcats the 6-1 advantage.
In the fifth, freshman designated hitter Austin Garcia extended the lead to 7-1, crushing a second pitch from FAMU’s Cameron Sims directly into the Halifax River beyond the left field wall, bypassing the riverwalk entireley. Modena batted in the Wildcats’ final run of the day, reaching base on balls with the bases loaded, bringing in Sams for the 8-1 lead.
Zuniga (4-3) went the distance for his third complete game of the season, closing the seventh on consecutive looking strikeouts to earn the win.
The junior right-hander struck out four and allowed one run on six hits. For FAMU, starter Jordan Montague (2-1) takes the loss, pitching three innings, striking out three and allowing six runs.
It was a big day for the extra base hit, as the Wildcats connected on six doubles and the home run. Leading the way for the Wildcats with crucial consistency was Sams, who went 4-for-7 on the double header, logging one RBI and scoring three runs. Robinson was 2-for-7 with two RBI and a run, while 11 Wildcats logged hits across the two games.
Prior to the first game, the Wildcats held its annual Senior Day Ceremony, as Sunday will be the 2014 home finale. Recognized during the ceremony were Montana Durapau, Scott Garner, Gabriel Hernandez, Josh Johnson, Shaun McCarty, Eros Modena, Matt Noble, Eric Sams and Christopher Waltermire.
Already a big series, Sunday’s ESPNU-televised rubber match will determine who steps into the driver’s seat in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Southern Division standings. Both teams sit at an 8-5 conference record going into Sunday’s finale.
The game will be broadcast live on ESPN3.com and the WatchESPN app on smartphones and tablets. It will air on tape delay at 6 p.m. on ESPNU. Joe Davis (Play-by-Play) and Jay Walker (Analyst) will be on the call from Jackie Robinson Ballpark.
For complete story, visit www.bcuathletics.com or www.famuathletics.com
North Carolina Central outduels NCAT in doubleheader sweep
DURHAM, N.C. – Behind clutch-hitting, solid defense, and two solid pitching performances from the starters, North Carolina Central University took down arch-rival North Carolina A&T 5-3 in game one and earned the Eagles first shutout of the year in the 4-0 victory in game two on Saturday afternoon at the Durham Athletic Park.
In taking both games of the twinbill, NCCU (13-17-1, 8-5 MEAC) has won its third consecutive series over NC A&T in Durham and will go for the sweep on Sunday.
Game one saw the debut of Kyle Shields as the starter and he did not disappoint.
NC A&T scored the first run of the day off Luke Tendler’s RBI single down the right field line, scoring leadoff batter Brandon Wilkerson, but the All-MEAC performer was gunned at second base which kept the explosive Aggies from having a big inning.
The maroon and gray responded thanks to senior Tyson Simpson’s two out double following freshman Carlos Ortiz’s walk as the Eagle offense got rolling. After Carter Williamson brought in Ortiz on a fielder’s choice, sophomore James Dey ripped a two out single to drive in the next two runs and give NCCU a 3-0 lead.
A&T plated two runs in the third to knot the game at 3-3 as Shields walked two Aggie batters with one out.
Shields and the Eagle defense did not surrender another run in game one as the maroon and gray scored two runs in the bottom of the fourth inning. It all began on Dey’s double to centerfield and ended on Ortiz’s RBI single as NCCU took a 5-3 lead into the fifth inning.
In fact, Shields allowed only two more hits through his final four innings as sophomore closer Andrew Vernon came on in-relief in the ninth and earned the save as the Eagles took game one 5-3.
The final contest of the day was a pitcher’s duel as senior righty Terry McNabb and Charles Cantrell combined for 16 K’s on the day, but McNabb put on the performance of the day.
After A&T went three-up-three-down in the top of the first, NCCU scored two runs to take a 2-0 lead off of three Eagle hits. After Zack Lee and Ortiz’s singles, Williamson and sophomore Christian Triplett both recorded RBIs with Williamson’s single and Triplett’s sacrifice fly.
The Aggies did not record their first hit until the third inning on a Kyle Clary double, but McNabb shut the door by striking out Wilkerson to end the threat. In fact, A&T got runners in scoring position only three times in the contest.
NCCU’s final two runs of the day came in the bottom of the fourth when A&T’s Cantrell fell apart as sophomore Kory Wood reached base on a bunt single with two outs on the board. Cantrell followed that up with a walk to Lee and then plunked the next three batters plating two runs and putting the maroon and gray up 4-0.
That’s all McNabb needed in one of his finest outings in his Eagle career. NCCU took game two 4-0 on-the-heels of McNabb’s complete game shutout where he earned a career-high nine strikeouts in the win. This also marked the first shutout of the year, and the first since a 10-0 win over Bethune-Cookman on Saturday, April 13, 2013. The senior also allowed a career low three hits in the win.
NCCU (13-17-1, 8-5 MEAC) looks to earn its first ever sweep over NC A&T (11-20, 6-8 MEAC) in the modern era of the program in the series finale at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, April 6 at the Durham Athletic Park.
For complete story, visit www.nccueaglepride.com or www.ncataggies.com