DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Bethune-Cookman knocked off another Atlantic Sun opponent by scoring seven unanswered runs to defeat UCF 8-5 at Jackie Robinson Ballpark on Tuesday afternoon.
Wildcats’ shortstop Wes Timmons was the highlight reel for day. The Appalachian State transfer went 4-for-5, scored three runs and stole three bases including a straight steal of home off UCF pitcher Justin Cerrato in the fifth inning that would have made the stadium’s namesake proud.
The Golden Knights (1-2) have lost four of their last five games against Bethune-Cookman (3-1) at Jackie Robinson Ballpark.
Nathan Kragt, UCF’s junior third baseman, was the top hitter going 3-for-3 in his first NCAA start at third base. Mike Myers, Dee Brown and Adam Miller each had two hits.
UCF score twice in the second inning when Mike Myers broke an 0-for-7 slump with a double down the left field line to score Rich Wallace, who knocked in Fritz Reichardt on a fielders choice earlier in the inning.
Bethune-Cookman manufactured a run in the third inning as Micah Simmons singled, stole second, advanced to third on Timmons ground out and scored on a Pedro Pichardo sacrifice fly.
The Golden Knights opened a 5-1 lead in the fifth inning by taking advantage of a throwing error by Bethune-Cookman first baseman Tyson Hogan on an attempted sacrifice bunt by Wayne Summers. Hogan’s throw went wide of third baseman Jose Ramos and into the left field bullpen allowing Nathan Kragt and Myers to score. Adam Miller would knock in Summers with a double to conclude the scoring.
The Wildcats rallied against UCF’s bullpen. Bethune-Cookman scored two runs in the fifth off Cerrato, three in the seventh off Jason Graham (0-1) and two in the eighth off Bo Hall. Noah Garland (1-0) picked up the win with three innings of one-hit ball in relief for the Wildcats.
George Cox failed to pick Timmons off second in the fifth inning, firing the ball into centerfield. Timmons stole home two pitches later. An Alberto Meran single plated Ramos for the second run in the fifth.
UCF reliever Nick Whidden came on in relief to shut the door in the fifth and set down four batters in a row before being removed in favor of Graham. Whidden has retired 12 of the 13 batters he has faced this season, yielding a 3-2 walk against Florida International last Friday.
Graham gave up a single to Timmons to lead off the seventh. Pichardo smashed a one-hop rocket off Nathan Kragt at third to continue the rally. Ramos doubled to right field to score Timmons and move the tying run within 90 feet. Graham induced Jose Vasquez to ground out to Myers, but scored Pichardo on the play. Graham walked Meran and was removed in favor of Zach Sutton. Sylvannah Dean grounded out to third keeping Ramos in check, but Sutton threw a wild pitch allowing Ramos to score before striking out pinch-hitter Rusty Brown to end the inning.
The Golden Knights have a week off before taking on Bethune-Cookman next Tuesday at Jackie Robinson Ballpark. The Wildcats split a home-and-home with Atlantic Sun opponent Jacksonville before playing UCF again. Game time is 3:00 p.m.
