Feb. 23, 2001

Box Score

BOCA RATON -

Final inning dramatics and who had the last bat was the decider in Florida Atlantic University's victory 7-6 over Bethune-Cookman College, in Friday's baseball action.

FAU scored two runs in the first and one in the second to hold a 3-0 advantage through four innings. Bethune scored two in the fifth to pull within one before Shaen O'Connor led-off the sixth with a homer.

Tim McNab relieved Petersen Benjamin, who started the game and pitched six complete innings, retiring eight on strikeouts and allowed one walk. McNab saw Bethune edge back into the game behind a double, a wild pitch and a balk.

Leading the game by one heading into the top of the sixth and a would be save for Nelson Lopez, who started the eighth, saw the Wildcats drive across three runs and take the lead for the first time of the game behind three hits.

FAU returned to the plate for the bottom of the ninth to face Johnny Romero. Gabe Somarriba, the Blue Wave's lead-off hitter, began the inning with a double down the left field line. Jason Sullivan followed with a single to center placing runners on first and third for Regan Samaniego. Most importantly, Samaniego hit an ankle shot to Bethune's second baseman, who was breaking for the double play, to drive in Somarriba. He also extended his hit streak to 14 games, including the final game of 2000. With one out and runners on first and second, L.J. Biernbaum hit a single to right scoring Sullivan and advancing Samaniego to third on a Bethune miscue.

FAU took itself out of a possible double play with a stolen base by Biernbaum, his second of the night, but it would matter not. The following play Romero threw a wild pitch scoring Samaniego and giving the Blue Wave the victory.

The two teams will play again, 7 pm, Saturday.