DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Bethune-Cookman gave up three runs on wild pitches alone Friday afternoon, as the Wildcats fell to rival Florida A&M, 11-6 in the league opener for both teams at Jackie Robinson Ballpark. The game was televised live on ESPNU, pitting the winners of the last three Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Tournament titles against each other for the nation to witness.
 
For the third game in a row, Bethune-Cookman (8-5, 0-1 MEAC) fell behind early-on. And, for the second time in as many games, the Wildcats allowed multiple runs in the opening half-inning.
 
And, unfortunately for the Wildcats, the outcome would be the same as the previous game against Florida Atlantic.
 
After Florida A&M (10-3, 1-0 MEAC) went on top 3-0 in the opening half-inning, Bethune-Cookman would counter with three runs of its own in the home-half of the frame.
 
Leadoff man Kyle Corbin walked and Jameel Edney got on with a fielder's choice, allowing senior designated hitter Austin Garcia to record his first home run of the season to knot the game at 3-all with a shot to left centerfield that bounced off the minor league play clock.
 
After a rocky first inning on the hill, BCU senior Donté Lindsay would settle down to keep the Rattlers off the board again until the sixth inning.
 
In the meantime, BCU stepped in front for the first time in the game, as second baseman Nate Sterijevski crossed on a throwing error charged to FAMU shortstop John Capra off the bat of Edney. That put BCU up, 4-3 after five innings in the books.
 
However, in the sixth, Lindsay would exit with runners on first and second, and one out via fielder's choice from Chase DeBonis to Edney at third that cut down the speedy Willis McDaniel.
 
Junior right-hander Alexis Herrera, having started against Florida Atlantic in midweek action for the Maroon and Gold, would face just one batter as he walked catcher Russell Rauh to load the bases. Joseph Calamita would relieve Herrera on the mound, with the junior from Lake Worth, Florida immediately walking Kaycee Reese on five pitches to plate Dallas Oliver for the tying run. A wild pitch would allow Ty Russ to score and give FAMU the 5-4 advantage. And it would be an RBI fielder's choice from Capra in the top of the order to drive in Rauh, extending the Rattlers lead at 6-4.
 
After FAMU added a run in the seventh on another Wildcats wild pitch – following McDaniel tallying his second triple of the game for the Rattlers, the visitors led 7-4.
 
Bethune-Cookman brought a run back in the bottom-half with Preseason MEAC Player of the Year Danny Rodriguez scoring Edney from first on a RBI double to the wall in left center.
 
But it would be FAMU scoring four additional runs in the top of the eighth to pull away for an 11-5 advantage.
 
The inning was highlighted by McDaniel's two-run scoring double to the gap in right center, leaving him a home run shy of the cycle in the contest.
 
The Wildcats scored the game's final run in the bottom of the eighth when sophomore centerfielder Josten Heron posted a sacrifice fly to center, allowing redshirt junior shortstop Demetrius Sims to score easily from third.
 
The win was taken by Florida A&M starter JoJo Durden (2-0), working 5.1 innings and allowing four runs (two earned) on five hits, adding a walk and three strikeouts. Jamie Grant and Daniel Rodriguez would combine to pitch the final 3.2 innings for the Rattlers.
 
For BCU, it was Lindsay who suffered the loss, allowing five runs on six hits in his 5.1 innings on the bump. The defeat lowered his record to 0-2 on the year.
 
The FAMU offense was sparked by McDaniel's 4-for-5 effort, including three RBIs and two runs with his pair of triples and a double.
 
BCU was led at the dish by Sims with two hits and a run scored, as well as Garcia's three-run bomb in the first inning.
 
The two teams will meet back at Radiology Associates Field at Jackie Robinson Ballpark on Saturday for a doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m. The second game will start approximately 30 minutes after the conclusion of the first game.
 
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