Bruins walked off in finale, drop series to Keiser

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- Despite totaling season-highs of 13 runs and 17 hits the #23 Bellevue University baseball team was walked off, 14-13, by #24 Keiser University in the rubber game of a three-game non-conference series on Sunday afternoon at Keiser's Silvester Field.

Records:

#23 Bellevue: 5-9
#24 Keiser: 14-6

Recap: Keiser 14, Bellevue 13

Keiser's Garrett Hall hit a game-winning solo home run for the walk off win in the bottom of the ninth inning on Sunday afternoon.

Keiser scored first with a three-run second inning and built a 7-3 lead by the end of the fourth inning before Bellevue grabbed their first lead of the game.

The Bruins used a five-run fifth inning to snag an 8-7 lead but Keiser promptly restored their advantage by scoring four in the home half to go up 11-8.

The Seahawks took a 13-11 lead into the ninth inning and after two quick outs looked to be on their way to closing the door on BU. However, Longaker started a two-out rally with a single up the middle before Cody Banks drove a two-run shot over the left field wall to tie the game. Two more base hits and a wild pitch saw BU put runners on the corners with a chance to go ahead but Baasch grounded out to end the threat.

After Drew Reilly popped up to start the bottom of the ninth, Hall jacked a 2-1 pitched over the wall in left to end the game.

Andrew Churchill (0-1) took the loss in relief. He allowed three runs on five hits and a pair of walks in his longest outing of the season, 3.1 innings.

Starter Brandon Desjardins did not factor in the decision. He exited after 3.1 innings of work in which he yielded six earned runs (7 total) on 13 hits and a pair of walks.

Fletcher Byrd (3-0) was credited with the win in relief. He worked 1.1 innings and allowed a pair of runs on four hits as the final pitcher in a parade of seven Keiser hurlers that saw work on the day.

KU starter Ryan Powers threw 4.1 innings and allowed five runs on six hits.

Bellevue set a new season-high with 17 hits, including six extra-base knocks, but the pitching staff allowed 21 hits as the Bruins dropped the rubber game of the series to Keiser, 14-13.

All nine BU starters recorded at least one hit on the afternoon with JT Patterson leading the way with a 4-for-5 effort at the dish that included a pair of doubles, two RBI, and two runs scored.

Travis Tanaka notched a three-hit game for the Bruins in four trips to the plate, including a pair of doubles to go along with his two, RBI, and three runs scored.

Kory Longaker (2-5), Hunter Jury (2-3), and Austin Alexander (2-5) also had multi-hit games for BU.

Jonathan Fernandez notched a four-hit day for the Seahawks with a 4-for-5 performance that featured a double, three runs scored, and an RBI. Cristian Sanjuro and Hall were each 3-for-5 on the afternoon. Ezequias Encarnacion, Peter Crocitto, Nate VanKan, and Nick Diaz also had multi-hit games for Keiser as all nine Seahawk starters recorded hits to match BU.

Up Next:

Bellevue continues their extended road trip through the Sunshine State tomorrow against #18 Webber International University. First pitch from Heart of Florida Regional Medical Center Field is slated for 6:30 p.m.