Bethune Drops Decision To Top-Ranked Florida 7-1
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Bethune-Cookman’s seven-game winning streak ended Tuesday as top-ranked Florida downed the Wildcats 7-1 before a McKethan Stadium crowd of 2,692 and an ESPN 3 audience.
Nelson Maldonado drove in three runs and JJ Schwarz and Peter Alonso two each as the Gators (38-7) took control with a five-run second inning.
That inning saw the Wildcats (23-23) commit three errors, putting runners on the bases for a three-run homer for Maldonado from the ninth spot and Alonso’s two-run double to left that helped Florida increase its lead to 6-0.
Michael Cruz put the Wildcats on the scoreboard – and also broke up the Florida no-hitter-- with his leadoff homer in the fourth.
The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference co-player of the week, Cruz registered his 16th homer of the season and went yard for the third time in four game.
After the second, German Hernandez threw three scoreless innings before giving up a solo homer to Schwarz in the sixth.
Nathan Bond extended his hitting streak to 19 games, and Alex Seibold threw two scoreless innings of relief.
Bethune-Cookman returns to action next Tuesday at Miami.
For more information visit www.bcuathletics.com.
Lightning Stops Alabama State vs. FAMU Baseball Game
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Inclement weather in the second inning halts Tuesday’s baseball game between Florida A&M and Alabama State at Moore-Kittles Field on Tuesday. Due to both teams’ remaining schedule, there has been no makeup date discussed at this time.
FAMU will next travel to North Carolina Central this weekend for an important MEAC series, as the Rattlers chase the No.1 seed in the MEAC Southern Division. The Hornets host Troy tomorrow night, Wednesday, at 6:00 PM CT at the Wheeler-Watkins Baseball Complex.
For more information visit www.famuathletics.com.
UMES Falls In Late Night Affair At Pitt
PITTSBURGH, Pa. — In a game that did not start until 9:18p.m. due to unforeseen circumstances, Maryland Eastern Shore battled tough against ACC foe Pittsburgh. But it was the Panthers who secured the victory with a 9-1 win at Cost Field.
The loss drops the Hawks to 14-30 on the year.
Although the Hawks scattered six base hits, senior Mike Escanilla was the lone player to deliver two hits on the afternoon. In the bullpen, sophomore Jordan Turner and freshman Xavier Czepiel turned in appearances with no earned runs to their name.
Senior Will Turley kept pace with his Panther counterpart in the early innings, but it would be Pitt who would strike first with a sacrifice fly in the third inning.
In the fourth the home team would open the floodgates. Another sac fly was followed by a wild pitch that scored a second run. A pair of RBI singles extended the Panther lead even further and Pitt led 5-0.
The Hawks countered in the sixth when sophomore Jamison Trower hit home Escanilla with the third sacrifice fly of the game. However the visitors would not get any closer, as Pitt padded on four runs in the eighth to seal the win.
The teams will wrap up their two game series Wednesday at noon.
For more information visit www.umeshawks.com.