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7 hits by Bluefield translate to zero runs in first game at Prasco Park

Sports Information Department BC

May 16, 2012

Bluefield College Athletics

Bluefield, Virginia

Sports Information Department

Mason, Ohio- The Bluefield College Rams dropped its opening contest of the 2012 NCCAA Baseball World Series after giving away runs in the final three innings in a 5-0 loss to #2 seed California Baptist on Wednesday.

The Rams started off hot in the opening two innings by getting early runners on base with no outs.

While the hits came easy for Bluefield early (5 hits in first 3 innings), they didn't do a successful job of scoring them.  After opening base hits by Riley and Long in the first, Bluefield was thrown out immediately at second when Kyle Long tried to stretch a single into an extra-base hit. On the next batter, Lancers pitcher Rivera threw a wild pitch as Riley tried to steal home. 

Cal Baptist made a good play at the plate to get Riley on the tag and ended the inning. 

Bluefield's starting pitcher Matt Whidden began by striking out four batters in the first three innings, but slowed down after that. Allowing only two hits into the 4th inning, the game was going to Bluefield's plan by keeping the Lancers off the bags. 

Whidden's attempt in the fourth inning ended with a strikeout on CBU as well, but not before the Lancers were able to smother the BC pitcher for three hits. After a one-out double by Moore, Daugherty singled and Crowley singled to score Moore for the RBI base hit giving Cal Baptist the first lead of the game at 1-0. 

The Lancers' Rivera took command and settled in late in the contest especially in the 5th and 6th innings where the right-hander struck out five of six consecutive Bluefield batters. 

Cal Baptist added a single run in the 5th inning after an unfortunate turn of events for the Bluefield defense. The Lancers poked two hits to leadoff the inning to put runners at the corners with no outs. Whidden and his defense did an incredible job to eliminate the Lancers in the inning when they turned a double play to make it two outs, with a runner still at third base. 

On the very next CBU batter, Marnati, punched a high fly ball to deep left field near the opponent's bullpen near the left field line. Joe Gatewood made a great effort to make the grab to end the inning, but as the Rams were nearly in th dugout the umpires called a meeting to reverse the call. 

Gatewood's one foot was called out of bounds in an area that is considered 'unplayable' due to it being considered the bullpen area, even though the ball was caught. 

As Marnati returned to the box, Whidden's next pitch sailed past catcher Kaleb Long and the runner at third base scored to make it a 2-0 CBU advantage as the two teams moved to the sixth inning. 

Bluefield went down 1-2-3 in both the 5th and 6th inning, and the Lancers took advantage of the nice pitching from their starter. 

CBU got a huge spark off two extra-base hits by Daugherty and Crowley who crushed a triple and double respectively. The RBI doube by Crowley gave the Lancers a 3-0 win. Cal Baptist added two more runs on the inning after two errors on Bluefield, one error handing CBU a direct run across the plate.

Zac Goodyear led the last inning off with a base hit for the Rams, but it wouldn't be enough as the Rams stranded two runners as Martin's game-ending strikeout put California Baptist in the winning column.

The Rams drop the opening game by a score of 5-0 as Rivera for CBU when a complete game with seven strikeouts. Whidden was recorded with the loss as he struck out five batters in 5 1/3 innings.

Bluefield was led at the plate by LF Joe Gatewood and RF Kyle Long who both finished 2 for 3 on the afternoon.

Bluefield will bounce back with a doubleheader tomorrow against Malone University (Ohio) at 11 am EST and Mid-Continent (Ky.) at 5 pm EST. Full coverage will be available at 10:50 am EST from Prasco Park. 

Check out the post-game video interview with Coach White by clicking, HERE

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