Wildcats Eliminated At Gainesville Regional; Florida Atlantic Wins 12-6 Saturday

June 5, 2010

Contact B-CU SID Mark Johnson (386) 481-2206 -

GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA - Florida Atlantic University (36-23) scored runs in each of the first five innings and withstood B-CU comebacks to hold off the Wildcats 12-6, Saturday afternoon in the Gainesville NCAA Regional. The loss eliminated Bethune-Cookman (35-22) from the double elimination regional and ended the 2010 season.

"I am disapointed as I thought this team could make some noise in the regionals," said B-CU head Coach Mervyl Melendez. "We didn't have the pitching needed and we didn't step up on the mound. And the hitting was not as good as I thought it would be for us to be successful here - it is very disapointing."

The FAU Owls scored one run in the first and second innings, three in the third, two in the fourth and another single run in the fifth inning to go ahead 8-3. B-CU had battled back with three runs in the bottom of the third inning to close to within 5-3 on RBI hits by Ryan Durrence and DJ Leonard.

Back came the Owls with three more runs. "Each time we would come back, they (FAU) would score some more runs and it is very difficult to keep battling and putting runs on the board," said Melendez.

Brandon Turner hit his first collegiate home run in the sixth inning, a two-run shot into the left field bleachers to get B-CU within three runs, 8-5. Back came the Owls again with two more runs in the seventh and two more in the eight to take a commanding 12-5 lead. Emmanuel Castro (3-4 on the day) had an RBI double in the eighth inning scoring Leonard who singled to make the final score 12-6.

Juan Perez was also 3-4 on the day and pitched the final two innings striking out four Owl batters. DJ Leonard was 2-4 and ended the season hitting over .430 to lead the Wildcats. Freshman Brandon Turner was also 2-4 Saturday.

"Our seniors should be commended and they won a lot of ball games for us. We are disapointed we didn't play as well as we did during the year, here at regionals," said Coach Melendez. "I was disapointed today."

B-CU starter LHP Roman Lancara (4-3) took the loss throwing 2.2 innings, allowing five earned runs and seven hits. Rayan Gonzalez (1.1 innings), Jordan Dailey (1.2), Chris Anselemo (1.1) and Juan Perez (2.0 innings) were the four Wildcat pitchers utilized in relief. The Owls bats were booming with 18 hits and eight of them were for extra bases: 5 doubles, a triple and two home runs. FAU out-hit B-CU 18-13 in the ball game.

Florida Atlantic will play the loser of the Saturday night winners bracket game between Florida and Oregon State at 1 p.m. Sunday in another elimination game.

B-CU set numerous school season team hitting records and more details and season wrap up will be availbale later on the 24/7 source of Wildcat Athletics.