The Bisons earned a hard fought victory over Florida Gulf Coast Friday night at Ken Dugan Field.
The Bisons faced Florida Gulf Coast’s pitcher Chris Sale, who has been getting much attention from pro scouts after being named MVP of the Cape Cod League. Sale came into the game with a 5-0 record and a 1.41 ERA on the season, however, the Bisons were not intimidated.
Credit: Hunter Patterson
Senior Tyler Wilson was the early contributor for the Bisons with a single in the bottom of the first. Two batters later he would score on a Cory Hale sac fly that put the Bisons on top early 1-0. In the bottom of the third Wilson continued to lead the Bisons with a solo homerun that put the Bisons up 2-0.
In the bottom of the fourth Zach Messer wanted in on some of the action as he homered over the left field fence to increase the Bisons lead to 3-0.
Tyler Wilson continued his dominance with another base hit in the bottom of the fifth. He advanced to second base on an errant pitch by Sale, and then scored on a single by his brother Lee Wilson that put the Bisons up 4-0. Cory Hale, who also had a great night at bat going 2 for 3, singled to advance Wilson to third. Zach Messer then hit a triple that brought both Wilson and Hale across the plate. Messer would score on an errant pitch, and the Bisons ended the inning with the score 7-0.
However, the Eagles did not come into the game with a 21-12 record for nothing.
In the top of the sixth Joe Guarnaccia singled and Tim Roberson brought him home to put the Eagles on the board. Mikel Alvarez was then walked followed by 2 more Eagles that loaded the bases. Josh Chester then went yard for a grand slam that gave the Eagles some momentum put them right back in the game with the score 7-5.
The Eagles continued their climb back into the game in the top of the seventh when DH Eric Acevedo was awarded base when he was hit by Josh Smith’s pitch. Smith then walked Stephen Wickens and a double by Alvarez scored two runs to knot the game up at 7-7.
The Bisons started off the bottom of the seventh with Lee Wilson getting on base and two batters later Zach Messer scored Wilson with a great bunt that caused an errant throw over the first baseman’s head by pitcher Chris Sale. The Bisons would go on top by one run but not for long.
Credit: Hunter Patterson
In the top of the eighth the Eagles tied it back up 8-8 when Guarnaccia doubled to score Maxfield who was walked two batters earlier.
Shawn Mehring was walked to start off the bottom of the eighth, and was advanced to second base by an M.L. Williams sac fly to center field. A double by Tyler Wilson down the left field line scored Mehring, and Cory Hale returned the favor to Wilson with a single that put the Bisons on top 10-8.
Junior Chadd Fromm then entered the game, shutting down the Eagles for his third save of the season. This gave the Bisons the win, 10-8.
To view the box score, click here.
The Bisons are now 13-22, 5-5 in the A-Sun. Florida Gulf Coast is 21-12, 12-4 in the conference.
A big part of the Bisons win was Tyler Wilson who went 5-5 from the batters box on the night. The Bisons continue their 3 game series with the Eagles tomorrow at Ken Dugan field with the first pitch to be thrown out at 1 p.m.
To read the Eagles side of the story, which describes the game as an upset, click here.
Be sure to check back with Lumination Network for more photos from game.