The NCAA baseball tournament will be starting next week. A familiar face will be among the 64 teams. The Bethune Cookman Wildcats will be there for the 13th time in 15 years.
In their first 12 appearances, the Cats have failed to make it past the Regionals. But each year they get a little better. Is this the year they break through to advance to the Super Regionals? It could be. One thing we know for sure, these Cats will not be intimidated. They play a lot of the so-called "Major" schools during the season. They have played UCF, USF, Stetson, UC Irvine, Miami, Auburn, FIU, Boston College, Michigan State and Florida this year. They have wins against Michigan State, Auburn, USF, Stetson and FIU.
The Cats also can boast a 45-game conference win streak. They have gone undefeated two straight years in the MEAC conference including tournament games.
This year's team is led by a lot of seniors and juniors who have plenty of NCAA Regional experience. Emmanuel Castro at third base, Ryan Durrence at first base, outfielder and lead off hitter Matt Wright,and outfielder DJ Leonard are all seniors. This is their last chance to make some noise in the tournament.
Catcher Peter O'Brien, infielder Nick Johnson, infielder Rashard Johnson, and shortstop Alejandro Sanchez are juniors with plenty of big game experience. O'Brien is the big bat in this lineup. If he can have a big weekend at the plate, the Cats could be dangerous.
O’Brien wrapped up the week hitting 8-14 with eight RBI.
“We came out here and did what we needed to do, put runs on the board and win the ball game,” said O’Brien after the win. “It feels great, but this is just a small step in what we want to accomplish this year.”
The pitching is solid too. Led by starters Patrick Goelz, Scott Garner and Gabriel Hernandez, the pitching staff is capable of beating anyone.
After the MEAC Tournament Championship Game against a scrappy Norfolk State team, Manager Mervyl Melendez had this to say. “They’re all special,” said Melendez of the sweetness of a sixth straight crown, “it doesn’t matter how many you win, it doesn’t get old.” But I am guessing going home early from the NCAAs does.
These Cats may go down in the Regionals once again, but if they do, look for them to put a scare into a "big name" program. If you are searching for a "Cinderella Story" for this year's NCAA Tournament, Daytona Beach might be a good place to start.
James Folsom - I am a graduate of the University of Central Florida and therefore a huge Knights fan. I am a life long fan of the University of Florida ...
