05/11/2009 – Bethune Cookman Athletic News

Samuel Rodriguez – Ali Simpson Earn MEAC Weekly Honors Rodriguez Named Player of The Week – Simpson Tabbed Pitcher of the Week With the recently completed week of B-CU triumphs over North Florida (Tuesday, 11-1) and taking the series at #15 Miami (1-0 Friday, 5-2 Sunday wins vs. the Hurricanes) – the MEAC Conference named two Wildcat players to weekly baseball honors on Monday. Samuel Rodriguez struck out a career-best and B-CU’s staff best in 2009 – 13 batters – vs. North Florida pitching a nine-inning, two-hit complete game win vs. the Ospreys. Ali Simpson pitched 8.1 innings of four-hit ball in the 5-2 win Sunday vs. Miami. Simpson is now a team-leading 8-2 on the season with a 2.11 ERA and he topped the MEAC with a 5-0 record and 1.09 ERA in six league starts. "We had a great week of baseball and the timing and momentum for the MEAC Tournament this week is good for us. To beat a good North Florida team early in the week and then win the series at the University of Miami – we are playing good baseball and at the right time for the tournament," said B-CU Head Baseball Coach Mervyl Melendez. "Sammy (Rodriguez) pitched a great game vs. UNF and Ali (Simpson) was outstanding against Miami. All our players have stepped up." The MEAC Conference tournament begins play Thursday at 10 AM at Jackie Robinson Ballpark in Daytona Beach. The tournament pairings/bracket will be announced by the conference following the completion of MEAC games on Monday. The double-elimination MEAC Tournament will continue through Sunday with the championship game set for 1 pm. If a second championship game is needed – it will be played at 6 pm.