DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Stetson batted around the order in the seventh inning, using two costly Wildcats errors to score five runs, completing a come-from-behind win Tuesday night over Bethune-Cookman by a score of 6-5 at Radiology Associates Field at Jackie Robinson Ballpark.
With Bethune-Cookman (0-8) leading 5-1 heading into the seventh inning, the game turned on a pair of errors that would have gotten the Wildcats out of the inning still holding a two-run lead. However, Stetson (5-4) sent 10 men to the plate in the top-half of the inning, and produced five key runs to complete the comeback for the visitors from West Volusia County.
After McCormick walked and Mackenzie doubled down the left field line, Joseph Calamita entered the game for the Wildcats, pulling relief pitcher German Hernandez. He was not helped out by the B-CU defense as an error from second baseman Marcus Stump allowed pinch runner Kyle Pitts to score from third. One batter later, the lead trickled down to 5-3 as Kevin Fagan reached on a fielder’s choice, but shortstop Tyler Bocock advanced to second – allowing Will Mackenzie to score from third – on another B-CU error, this time charged to first baseman Austin Garcia trying to cut down Bocock at second. The throw hit Bocock in the back and the ball carried into the outfield.
Therefore, instead of two outs and a runner on first, there were two runs scored, no outs and runners on first and second for the Hatters.
The Hatters then got a RBI single from Josh Powers which brought in Bocock, followed by a RBI sacrifice fly from right fielder Garrett Russini that crossed Fagan. Stetson took the lead when designated hitter Vance Vizcaino drove in Patrick Mazeika from third on a RBI single shot back up the middle.
In all, Stetson scored five runs in the inning on just three hits, claiming the 6-5 lead that would prove to be the final.
Bethune-Cookman, still seeking its first win of the 2015 season, had a chance in the home-half of the ninth to either tie or claim the win.
Catcher Zach Olszewski drew a walk to begin the last at-bat, with Stump following suit with the same.
Stump and pinch runner Jordan Thomas each moved into scoring position on a passed ball from Mazeika, as Jose Carballo stood at the plate with nobody out. However, Stetson reliever Walker Sheller was able to settle in and collect the three outs needed to put the visitors above .500 with the victory.
B-CU was aggressive to start the game, jumping on Stetson starting pitcher Tyler Warmoth, the usual closer for the Hatters.
Jake Welch began the at-bat with a single, followed by a double from Brandon Wilkes. Jordan Robinson would score Welch in the next spot, pounding out a single to center field, giving the Cats an early 1-0 advantage. Wilkes scored a batter later courtesy a fielding error from Stetson second baseman Colton Lightner. When Olszewski delivered a two-run double to left, plating Garcia and Bond, the Wildcats held a 4-0 advantage after one inning in the books.
B-CU added its fifth run in the fourth inning, using Rakeem Quinn’s single to right that scored Olszewski, giving the Wildcats a 5-0 lead.
B-CU starter Sidney Duprey was nearly untouchable on the mound for the Wildcats. The left-hander from Guyama, Puerto Rico, making his first start of the year, threw five innings, allowed just a single hit and walked two with three strikeouts. Clint Clymer finished the game out of the bullpen, working the final 2 1/3 frames, giving up just a hit and striking out one.
The win went to the Hatters’ Brooks Wilson who improved to 3-0 on the year, as he worked two innings, allowed two hits and fanned three. The loss went to Calamita, as he gave up three runs on two hits in just 0.2 innings on the hill. Sheller earned the save, his first of the campaign.
Offensively, B-CU was led by a trio of players with two hits. Olszewski was officially 2-for-3 with two RBI and a run scored, while Robinson was 2-for-4 with a RBI of his own. Welch finished with two hits and a run scored.
B-CU gets back to the diamond Wednesday when the Wildcats host No. 15 UCF to Radiology Associates Field at Jackie Robinson Ballpark. The Knights leapt seven spots in this week’s Baseball America poll, and currently sit as the only undefeated team in the state of Florida in Division I. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m.
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