Norris Pitches Bethune-Cookman Past Florida Gulf Coast
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Michael Cruz collected the game-winning RBI and Tyler Norris pitched a gem to help Bethune-Cookman to a 1-0 shutout of Florida Gulf Coast on Saturday afternoon in non-conference baseball action inside Radiology Associates Field at Jackie Robinson Ballpark.
A day after the hitters took center stage to begin the series, it was pitching that headlined Saturday’s second game of a three-game swing between the Wildcats and Eagles.
Bethune-Cookman (4-5) turned to sophomore right-hander Tyler Norris, while Florida Gulf Coast countered with right-hander Brady Anderson.
It was not until the sixth inning that either pitcher got into trouble of any kind up to that point in the contest.
Norris earned the win, keeping his record for the year clean at 2-0. He tossed six innings, striking out seven batters and walking two with just three hits allowed. Alexis Herrera went 2.2 innings in relief action, fanning two batters and walking one with four hits. Tyler Sterijevski earned the save in facing Noll, collecting his first of its kind in his collegiate career.
The loss went to FGCU’s Brady Anderson who fell to 0-2 on the year, but pitched brilliantly in a complete-game effort, allowing just a single run on five hits, striking out five and walking one.
Five different Wildcats claimed hits on the day, but it was Michael Cruz’s RBI single that proved to be the deciding point in a true pitcher’s duel. In the process, Cruz continues his current hitting streak at nine games.
The two teams will meet Sunday, March 6, for the rubber game of the series. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m., inside Jackie Robinson Ballpark.
For complete story, visit www.bcuathletics.com
Florida A&M blanks Western Michigan
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida A&M (6-5) shutout Western Michigan (0-8) by a score of 9-0 at Moore-Kittles Field on Saturday.
Danny Rodriguez (1-0) made his first career start and earned the win after working five scoreless innings with six hits, a season-high four strikeouts and two walks. Kendal Weeks picked up the save after pitching the final four innings of relief. Four Rattlers had multi-hit performances and the FAMU defense turned two double plays and a rare triple play in the eighth inning.
Ben Ellzey (2-for-5), Dylan Dillard (2-for-3), Brian Davis (2-for-5) and Jacky Miles, Jr. (2-for-4) led the Rattler offense. Dillard scored three runs, while Ellzey and Miles, Jr. had two RBIs in the win.
The Broncos’ offense stranded two base runners in each of the first four innings and left 12 men on base in the game despite having 11 hits on the day.
Broncos starter Tanner Allison (0-3) suffered the loss after allowing two runs on three hits in three innings of work. Allison had five strikeouts and four walks in the loss.
Florida A&M and Western Michigan close out the series on Sunday. First pitch is scheduled for 1:00 PM.
For complete story, visit www.famuathletics.com
Hornets Blanked By UMass-Lowell
NEWARK, Del. --- Delaware State continues to battle through hitting woes this season. The Hornets were held to one hit in a 3-0 loss to Massachusetts-Lowell at the University of Delaware’s Bob Hannah Stadium.
UMass-Lowell starter Andrew Ryan tossed seven shutout innings, allowing just one hit and striking out 10 to earn the win.
Sean McGrath allowed three hits and three runs, striking out four and walking two in 5.2 innings. Four DSU relievers combined to throw 2.1 shutout innings with three strikeouts and two bases on balls.
The Hornets (0-10) will be back in action on Sunday at Delaware. The first pitch is scheduled for 2:30 p.m.
For complete story, visit www.dsuhornets.com
Ninth-Inning Comeback Gives Hawks Doubleheader Split
RICHMOND, Ky. — Senior Mike Escanilla whacked an RBI double in the final inning of today’s doubleheader, scoring two of his teammates and giving the Maryland Eastern Shore Hawks a 5-4 victory and a doubleheader split with the Eastern Kentucky Colonels.
The Hawks (4-6) will not only avoid a sweep, but they have earned the right to play for a split tomorrow.
After dropping the first contest by a 20-2 score, Maryland Eastern Shore made it their mission to make a strong start in the third game. Escanila hit his first of two doubles on the day in the first inning, driving in what would be the first of four runners.
Maryland Eastern Shore and Eastern Kentucky will wrap up this four game series at noon Sunday.
For complete story, visit www.umeshawks.com
North Carolina Central Earns Doubleheader split against NJIT
DURHAM, N.C. – The late innings told the story of both games of the doubleheader as the North Carolina Central University baseball team took a split with New Jersey Institute of Technology.
Down 5-2 in the bottom of the seventh, the Eagles made things interesting late with a homer to center field from Christian Triplett. NCCU would get runners on the corners, but couldn’t get them home. Ellington Hopkins drove another solo shot to right field in the bottom of the ninth to make the score 5-4, but Tommy Derer battled through to get the save by going a total of eight outs.
In the second contest, the Eagles kept the momentum rolling from the previous inning and in the bottom of the fourth plated three runs to go ahead 5-4 on a two-RBI single from Carlos Ortiz. With the second game of the doubleheader only scheduled to go seven innings, NCCU was in line for the win but NJIT stayed alive on a tying RBI single from Evan Pietronico.
Jamar Hinton took over for extra-inning duty for NCCU and pitched a spotless eighth inning with a strikeout to give the Eagles the opportunity to win. Hopkins led off the bottom of the eighth with a single and advanced to second on a wild pitch with the next batter. Hopkins would go on to become the winning run after a fielding error by the NJIT second baseman allowed the ball to roll into right field.
The Eagles will look to take the series against NJIT tomorrow afternoon at 1:00 p.m. at the Durham Athletic Park.
For complete story, visit www.nccueaglepride.com