B-CU Beats FGCU 6-1 In Tournament Finale

By B-CU SID Mark Johnson

Freshman Lefty Starter Ali Simpson Pitches Solid Game -Now 2-0 on Season

Lefty starter Ali Simpson won on the second straight Sunday for B-CU pitching six innings of two hit ball allowing one run and striking out six for the win. The Campbell River, B.C. native freshman got the pitching win last Sunday vs. Southern University (10-4 win) in the MLB Urban Invitational in California.

"Ali was outstanding today," said B-CU Head Coach Meryvl Melendez. "He was throwing strikes and keeping them off balance, just like he did last week (vs. Southern University) last Sunday. I was proud of him and the way he pitched. We got timely hitting and scored early and put the opponent on their heals," said Melendez.

B-CU (4-4) led 5-1 after three innings, with run scoring hits from Alejandro Jimenez, Emmanuel Castro, and freshman catcher Peter O'Brien. O'Brien was 2-4 with 2 RBI and is B-CU's leading hitter through eight games with a .435 average (10-23). Freshman infielder Alejandro Sanchez was 3-4 with a RBI and sophomore Ryan Durrence was 2-4 with two runs scored.

"It was a good end to the tournament with a win and to get back on the winning track, " said Melendez. "We have been playing a lot of players, a lot of young players and they have played well for us against some tough competition." B-CU was 2-2 in the four games in Ft. Myers beating Towson University Thursday (12-4) and losing Friday to Boston College (10-5) and falling late Saturday night, 4-2 to Samford University.

Seniors Mark Brooks (2B) and Drew Clark (C) have been injured and will be day-today for the busy week ahead (6 games) for B-CU. DH/OF Chris Brown is nursing a hand injury and pitcher Rayan Gonzalez is injured as well in the early season.

The Wildcats next play Tuesday hosting Mercer, 6 p.m. at Jackie Robinson Ballpark in a two-game series (game two - Wednesday at 6 p.m.). B-CU plays four games over the weekend in the Wildcat Tournament - Friday night vs. Xavier (7 p.m.), Saturday vs. Michigan State (7 p.m.) and again Sunday vs. the Spartans at noon. The tournament finale Sunday will face off Georgia State vs. the Wildcats, at 4 p.m.