Defending conference champion Bethune-Cookman (17-39) stared elimination in the face Wednesday afternoon, sitting in unfamiliar territory of the elimination bracket on just the second day of the four-day annual event.
The Wildcats answered with a solid pitching production from redshirt senior and first team all-conference performer Keith Zuniga.
Savannah State (21-33) had the first real opportunity to score the game’s first run in the top-half of the inning when Michael McHugh tripled to start off the at-bat. Zuniga then got McHugh leaning too far away from the bag on a line shot back to the mound off the bat of Devin Jackson, keeping the run off the board.
Redshirt senior right fielder Jordan Robinson led off the B-CU at-bat in the second with a single, followed by a walk issued to designated hitter Austin Garcia. After a sac bunt moved both runners into scoring position, Robinson scored the game’s opening run courtesy a Jake Welch sac fly fouled to right field. That was followed by a sac fly from Bryant Munoz, plating Garcia for the 2-0 Wildcats advantage.
Bethune-Cookman went back to work on McCormack in the fourth with another run that would end up being the game-winner.
A two-out rally began with Welch’s bunt single down the third base line. He then stole second and advanced to third on a throwing error by SSU catcher Ryan McCranie trying to cut him down at second. Munoz then crossed Welch with a RBI single back up the middle, adding to the B-CU lead, 3-2.
The Tigers were finally able to get to Zuniga in the top of the seventh.
Left fielder Hector Benitez drove across McCranie with a single to right field, after McCranie led off the frame with a single to short.
In the eighth, All-MEAC performer third baseman Zachary Brigham blasted a leadoff home run over the right field wall, cutting into the Wildcats lead, 3-2.
B-CU fourth-year head coach Jason Beverlin sent Zuniga back to the hill in the ninth, where the Nogales, Arizona native delivered three consecutive outs – ending the game with a strikeout to earn the win.
In working his team-leading fourth complete game of the year, Zuniga moved his record to 7-5 on the campaign with the victory. He allowed two runs on eight hits scattered, striking out a season-high nine batters and walking just one.
The loss went to McCormack, also turning in a complete game effort, as he was tagged for three runs (one earned) with one strikeout and two walks.
Robinson led the Wildcats offensively with three hits in four trips, scoring a run in the process. Second baseman Brandon Amendolare was 2-for-4 with a run scored, while Munoz drove in two scores.
Bethune-Cookman will now take on the top seed out of the north in the form of Norfolk State on Friday at 10 a.m. Norfolk State used a walk-off fielder’s choice to defeat host Maryland Eastern Shore in the day’s opening elimination contest.
The championship finale is set for Saturday, May 16, beginning at 1 p.m.
Courtesy: MEAC
