Edward Waters defeated No. 11 ranked Keiser University. The Seahawks fell victim to the Tigers 10-5 as EWC bats came alive in the seventh inning which made the difference in the contest.
Saturday’s contest was highlighted by EWC starting pitcher Richard Edward, (7-2), received the win, surrendering five runs, four earned, on 10 hits while striking out three in 8.0 innings pitched. Travis Coleman came in the ninth received the save, completing 1.0 innings of relief to close out the Tigers’ 10-5 victory over the eleventh-ranked Seahawks.
Edward Waters held a brief advantage in the top of the first inning when lead-off hitter Bryan Rodriguez reached base on a single advanced to second on a fielding error by the center fielder. Juan Bracamonte grounder to the first basemen, moved Rodriguez to third. Jordan Pontious lifted a sacrifice fly down the right field line to plate Rodriguez from third for a 1-0 lead.
Keiser bounced back in the bottom of the inning with two runners on, a two-run double off the left center wall, to take a 2-1 lead.
Edward Waters tied the game 2-2 in the top of the third when Bryan Rodriguez hits a double, advanced to third on a wild pitch, scored as Juan Bracamonte reaches base due to a wild pitch on what should have been a inning ending strike out, Rodriguez scores on a wild pitch.
Edward Waters regained the 3-2 lead in the top of the sixth inning as Bracamonte led-off the inning with a walk, advanced to third on Jordan Pontious single Miguel Beltre singled to left center to bring home Bracamonte from third.
The game was tied for a second time. In their bottom half of the sixth inning, Keiser Tyler Goff and Jack Curtis touched Tigers pitcher Richard Edwards with back to back hits to even the contest.
Edward Waters took the lead for good in top of the seventh inning and took advantage of Kaisers’ miscues touching Seahawks starter Kyle Keatts for six runs. Tyler Rich reaches base due to a wild pitch third strike. Bryan Rodriguez reaches base due to a fielding error on the short stop. Juan Bracamonte hits a single Tyler Rich scores. Rodriguez advances to third. Bracamonte goes to second on the throw. Jordan Pontious reaches base due to an error on the third baseman. Miguel Beltre hits a single Rodriguez scores. Bracamonte scores on an error by the left fielder, Pontious advances to third on an error by the left fielder. Carlos Cabrera hits a double, Pontious and Beltre scores Cabrera goes to third on the throw.
Keiser made a pitching change with reliever Brandon Acevedo. Acevedo was greeted by Noah Leake single as Cabrera scores the sixth-run in the inning taking a 9-3 lead.
The Tigers added another run in the top-half of the eighth-inning as Tyler Rich singles, next batter Will Boggs grounder forced Rich out at second reaches first on a fielder’s choice moves to second on Bryan Rodriguez ground out to second baseman scores on Juan Bracamonte singled to right field for the 10-3 lead.
Keiser would not go away quietly. Two batters connected for back-to-back home runs in the bottom of the ninth inning making the score 10-5 before EWC head coach Reginald Johnson replaced Richard Edwards with Travis Coleman who got the final three outs for the Tigers win.
Edward Waters improves to 22-14 overall will go for the series win in Sunday’s scheduled doubleheader. Black College Nines caught up with Coach Johnson after the game to discus beating a ranked top NAIA 25 team for the second time this season.
Listen to the interview.