GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Bethune-Cookman’s 15th NCAA Regional appearance ended with a 12-3 loss to Georgia Tech Saturday afternoon at McKethan Stadium at the University of Florida.
Demetrius Sims posted two hits and Nathan Bond drove in two runs for the Wildcats, who erased a 3-0 deficit to manage a 3-3 tie on Michael Cruz’s RBI single in the fourth.
Georgia Tech regained the lead with a three-run fifth, and the Yellow Jacket pitchers would limit the Wildcats to two base runners over the final five innings to remain alive in the double-elimination tournament.
A six-run ninth, highlighted a three-run Tristen English three-run homer, pushed Georgia Tech’s lead to 12-3. [easyazon_infoblock align=”right” cart=”y” identifier=”B008XUYEFQ” locale=”US” tag=”hbcusports-20″ type=”single” link_id=”4782″]
After Georgia Tech took an early 3-0, B-CU came back with two runs in the third. Cruz walked, Danny Rodriguez singled and Bond stroked a two-out double to right.
The Wildcats used a two-out rally in the fourth to tie it with Rakeem Quinn, Sims and Cruz hitting consecutive singles.
Alex Seibold, who had relieved German Hernandez and got the Wildcats out of a third-inning jam and had a solid 1-2-3 fourth, finally gave up a run after three consecutive scoreless relief appearances, including the 1-0 victory over Norfolk State in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference tournament final.
Jameel Edney also had a hit for the Wildcats. Ivan Coutinho had two scoreless innings of relief before getting reached for two runs in the ninth.
Bethune-Cookman finishes the season 29-27.
Bethune-Cookman Post-Game Quotes
Head Coach Jason Beverlin
Opening Statement:
“Everyone has to end their season in the field of 64 but one team (in each regional); today wasn’t our day. We accomplished a lot of things this year, and the post-season was definitely one of our goals. It’s very satisfying in that regard, but it’s disappointing that (our season) had to end today.”
On looking forward to next season:
“I think the biggest thing is just trying to build on what we’ve accomplished this year. Like I said, getting back to a regional after a down season last season was big. Last night was a great experience playing the number one team in the country, the number one national seed. That’s the gold standard. Now they know where they’re aspiring to be.”
#21 Senior Right Fielder Nathan Bond
On the postseason:
“It was like an adventure. This is the first time I was in a regional, and I was very excited to come out to the field and do the best I could do.”
Courtesy: B-CU Athletics
