"We did a good job, but we have actually been playing well," Melendez said.  "I told the team we could be 2-2. We lost two in extra innings and other close ball games and we just haven't gotten a couple of hits when it mattered the most and that is what we struggled with on Wednesday and we did a much better job with that today."
 
The game started out with the Hornets (1-4) pushing across three runs in the first inning on an Ocasio RBI single and a two-run blast from Dillon Cooper.
 
Those three runs would be all the scoring for either team over the next five innings as the game turned into a pitching duel between two conference pitchers of the year in ASU's Joseph Camacho and Winthrop's Matt Crohan.
 
After giving up three runs in the first, Crohan settled down and pitched six more innings only allowing one more run on two hits and striking out eight.
 
"In two or three years we are going to see him (Crohan) in the big leagues," Melendez said.  "I was glad to see us get to him early, because after that first inning he really got nasty out there."
 
Comacho was not that bad either as he went 6.2 innings only allowing five hits and one run.  He had seven strikeouts and even though he didn't get the win, he impressed his head coach with his performance.
 
"He's pitched two great games, probably these back-to-back games the best that I have seen him in the four years," Melendez said.  "He's keeping the ball low, he's keeping the batters off balanced and he's amazing.  I think the thing that sets him apart is he doesn't get down on himself.  He may make a bad pitch here and there like every pitcher does, but he doesn't get down and keeps going."
 
The Hornets were able to bang out nine hits with Cooper's three hits and two RBI leading the way.  Ocasio and Eriq White also had two hits.
 
The Hornets wound up using five pitchers in the game with Angel Alicea (1-0) actually making his first appearance of the year and picking up the win.  He pitched the final 1.1 innings allowing only two hits and striking out two.
 
In talking about his 500^th win Melendez said a lot of people played a part in that.
 
"500 wins does it mean I'm that old?  A lot of people get credit for 500 wins.  I've been the head coach, but I've been very fortunate.  It takes a group of people to get it done, group of players that have been committed to the cause, committed to me and our staff so I'm very happy but I'm very happy for everyone that has been involved in those victories."
 
The Hornets will look to make it two straight when the host the Eagles in the second game of the three-game weekend series.  The first pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m.  All the live stats during the game can be watched at bamastatesports.com.