BOBCATS LOSE OPENER-TIE GAME 2. Double header results

On a chilly day in Franklin Virginia, the first season games for both teams were as competitive as a mid-season outing. Going into the 8th inning with a tie score of 4-4, the Hurricanes 7th slot hit a double pushing through 2 more runs. The Bobcats recovered just 1 run finishing the first 9 with a 5-6 loss. 

Emerson Gomez, the first to make it base singled and was brought home by Exavier Santiago. Santiago later went on to hit a 2-run home -run; the first of the season and a clutch play in the 6th tieing up the game 3-3. Transfer Sal Cimino launched a double bringing in 2 runs. Tredell Blow close to his home turf, doubled and scored.  Starting pitcher n Brian Blackburn pitched 4 innings facing 17 batters striking out 2 and letting up 4 hits and 3 earned runs. Marley Brunken went to the mound for the last 4 with pitched to 21 bats striking out 3, letting up 6 hits and 3 earned runs.

Game 2 set for 7 innings, tied up in the 7th and played 3 extra innings, ending the game with a still 3-3 tie when daylight ended.

The game remained scoreless until the Hurricanes hit a couple sweet spots and landed earned runs.  In the 6th inning, Bobcat Erickson Lantigua hit a single and runner, Yersel Martie ran the bases to score the first run of the day.  Following suit, Gabe Murillo sent the ball deep in the field  for a triple earning credit for the first score.  Emerson Gomez followed with a deep double and made it to 3rd on a wild pitch. Catcher, Exavier Santiago, who led the team with hits over the weekend, singled to center right bringing Gomez home putting the Bobcats ahead 3-2  The Hurricanes battled back in the 7th and tied up the score forcing the game into extra innings when the truce was called.   

Pitchers fought hard for the Bobcats. Justin Holmberg who faced 18 batters in 4 innings allowing 3 hits, 2 earned runs in the 4th, a strike out and just 2 walks. Freshman Tommy Rondon brought in to relieve Holmberg initially struggled the first half inning of the 5th with 3 walks. He battled back with 7 more bats with 2 strike-outs and a ground out, but not before a run by error tied up the game forcing into extra innings. Rondo finished on the mound with 5 strikeouts, 5 walks, no hits and no earned runs. Marley Brunken made a second plate appearance of the day in the 7th, with 2 outs needed to hold off the Hurricanes. Brunken threw strikes and the fielders and garnered the needed outs moving the game into over-time. Matt Kennedy came in to finish holding off Camp College when it became a battle of fresh pitchers until dark. Kennedy faced 15 batters, and held them back with no runs, 3 strike outs and 3 walks. 

" I thought our pitchers did well and some of our guys had very good at-bats considering prior to today's double--header, we have not had any type of live hitting.  More importantly, we still need to understand situational hitting."Head Coach-Bob Godlewski

The Bobcats are on the road again on February 11th to play in the "Rags" Scheuermann Tournament on 02/12-02/16 then head to Loyola University, William Carey University and wrapping up the trip in Alabama vs Talladega on the 20th.