RALEIGH, N.C. – Pitcher Desmond Cheek (Sr./Franklinville, NC) fired a two-hitter to lead Saint Augustine’s University past Benedict College 10-3 for its first baseball victory of the season at Buffaloe Road Park on Thursday, February 5, 2015.
The contest was part of doubleheader between both teams. The Falcons (1-3 overall) lost the second game 6-4 to Benedict (1-2 overall). The twinbill was the fourth game in three days for the Falcons.
Cheek stymied Benedict with masterful pitching in gaining his first win. He recorded five strikeouts and two walks in seven complete innings. His performance was remarkable considering Cheek last pitched for the Falcons in 2013.
His teammates helped Cheek by pounding out 10 hits against Benedict. Shortstop Roberto Rivera (Fr./Millville, NJ) and second baseman Alexis Garcia (So./Raleigh, NC) each collected two RBIs while centerfielder Jason Baytop (Jr./Manchester, MD) was 3-for-4 at the plate with one RBI and two runs scored. Designated hitter Timothy Carter (So./Lumberton, NC) was 2-for-3 with one RBI and two runs scored. Rivera and Baytop each totaled two stolen bases for the Falcons, who had seven overall in the first game.
The Falcons scored the first run when Rivera stole home in the first inning. They seized control after adding five runs in the second inning for a 6-0 lead. Leftfielder Darrell Langston (Fr./Chicago, IL) scored Garcia on a double and Rivera’s two-run single scored Langston and catcher Darryl Washington-Hardy (Sr./River Grove, IL). Baytop scored Rivera on a single and Carter scored Baytop on a single.
Benedict scored three runs to close within 6-3 in the top of the fourth inning. The Falcons responded with three runs in the bottom of the same inning. Baytop scored on a passed ball and Garcia scored Carter on an RBI groundout. First baseman William Thomas (Jr./Yorktown, PA) scored on an infield error.
The Falcons tacked on one run in the sixth inning for the final score. Garcia scored Carter on a double.
Benedict was led by Daniel Young and Mitchell Dixon in the first game. They both knocked in a run.
In the second game, Thomas paced the Falcons with two RBIs. Baytop was 2-for-4 with one RBI and two runs scored, and Carter was 2-for-4 with one RBI for the Falcons, who had eight hits.
Benedict scored one run in the first inning, but the Falcons tied the score in the bottom half of the inning. Baytop scored on a sacrifice fly by Thomas to even the game at 1-1.
Benedict surged ahead 5-1 entering the bottom half of the fifth inning. The Falcons attempted to climb back in the contest. Rivera scored on an outfield error and Thomas scored Baytop on a single to slice the deficit to 5-3.
Benedict extended its lead to 6-3 in top half of the sixth inning. The Falcons pulled within 6-4 when Baytop scored rightfielder Sterling James (Sr./New Castle, DE) on an RBI groundout, but they could get no closer.
Marcelino Irizarry led Benedict with two RBIs. Benedict finished with 10 hits as a team.
The Falcons are back in action Monday, February 9, against Coker College in Hartsville, S.C. Their next home game is Tuesday, February 10, against Francis Marion University at the USA Baseball Complex in Cary, N.C. The first pitch for both games is 2 p.m.
