FIU Panthers vs Bethune Cookman Wildcats – April 11th, 2017

Have you ever gone to work after breaking up with someone that sometimes does business with you? That must have been what it was like for FIU Baseball coach, Mervyl Melendez to play against his former team, the Bethune Cookman Wildcats where he won 30+ games nine out of twelve seasons, and eleven conference titles from the years 2000-2011.The game started out as a pitching duel with both teams allowing only one hit through 3 innings. That’s not to say that guys weren’t making contact either. Balls were put in play, but FIU’s infield made some pretty spectacular plays, such as Kobe Lopez reacting to a ball popping up over his head, as it hit the dirt, jumping up to make the grab, and still able to make the play at first. Immediately following, FIU’s Ricardo Pozo committed an error in right field, on a pop up by Nate Sterijevski, but he was still tagged out at 3

The game started out as a pitching duel with both teams allowing only one hit through 3 innings. That’s not to say that guys weren’t making contact either. Balls were put in play, but FIU’s infield made some pretty spectacular plays, such as Kobe Lopez reacting to a ball popping up over his head, as it hit the dirt, jumping up to make the grab, and still able to make the play at first. Immediately following, FIU’s Ricardo Pozo committed an error in right field, on a pop up by Nate Sterijevski, but he was still tagged out at 3^rd on a great rally by the Panthers.

After the 3^rd inning, two kids were selected for the dizzy bat race, where you spin 10 times around a bat and run to the finish line, but one of the kids totally cheated, only spinning 6 times… WTF?! What are we teaching these kids?

Anyway, in the 4^th inning, FIU finally got on the scoreboard, as Kenny Meimerstorf blasted one into the left center warning track where Cookman’s Justin Heron couldn’t hold on, as he crashed into the wall. Kenny earned an RBI by bringing in Zack Soria. In the 5^th, I felt like the Panthers wanted to go balls deep, literally. JC Escarra nearly homers, but just goes foul to right field. Then, it happened to Kobe Lopez in left field! What’s up with that?! After a couple of hits, Ricardo Pozo was tagged out at home, off an Irving Lopez single, leaving two on base.

The 6^th inning was #LIT! Shortstop Irving Lopez made a spectacular grab behind 2^nd base, stretching out to make the grab and still managed to pop up and throw out Cookman’s Nate Sterijevski at 1st. The Wildcats would, once again, end the inning scoreless. Now at the bottom of the 6^th, with one out, Zack Soria came up to the plate. I literally turned to our intern, Danny and said, “this guy’s going to homer”, and that’s exactly what Soria did! I’ll chalk up my prediction to body language, as I have no idea how I got that one right. Kudos to the kid for making me look good though. Now we’re through the top of the 7^th and Robert Garcia is pitching a one-hitter gem! FIU’s ace is handling these guys like it’s nobody’s business. Bottom of the 7^th, FIU’s Ricardo Pozo singles, but reaches 2^nd off a throwing error. Kolby Follis comes in to pinch run, and steals 3^rd. Irving Lopez singles, and brings in Follis. Now it’s 3-0 going into the 8^th inning.

Last chance for @CookmanBaseball to catch up to @FIUBaseball. @MichaelDeeb42 wants to crush it. #FIUvsBCU FIU leads 3-1 #PawsUp pic.twitter.com/WnoAv7NzxR

— Lemon City Live (@LemonCityLive) April 12, 2017

The Wildcats weren’t going out without a fight, though. Cookman’s Michael Deeb doubles, advances to 3^rd off a single, and eventually scores off a sac-fly, but Coach Melendez would stick with his guy, and let Robert Garcia close out the game. And boy did he ever… Robert Garcia threw a four-hit, one-run complete game, with fourteen strikeouts for an FIU Baseball record!

Robert Garcia throws a 4-hit, 1-run complete game, with 14 strike outs for a @FIUBaseball record! @FIUBaseball gets the win! #FIUvsBCU pic.twitter.com/2WPcqnUDFA

— Lemon City Live (@LemonCityLive) April 12, 2017

The Panthers won 3-1 off of pitching and defense. The offense was there when it needed to be, but these guys continue to prove that they know how to win, even when they aren’t “pouring it on”. I’m sure Coach Melendez feels good about this one.

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