DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Donté Lindsay earned a quality start on the mound while the Bethune-Cookman offense picked up 10 hits Wednesday afternoon, helping the Wildcats to a 5-3 win over visiting FIU in non-conference baseball action inside Radiology Associates Field at Jackie Robinson Ballpark. With the win, the two teams split the midweek bounce series for the year, as the home teams each tallied wins.
 
Facing FIU for the fifth time as a starter in his career, Bethune-Cookman senior Donté Lindsay picked up his second quality start of the season on Wednesday – his first since throwing a one-hitter against North Carolina Central (March 19). He went 5.1 innings in a loss to FIU in Miami back on April 11 of this year.
 
Through seven innings, the Cleveland native allowed just one (1) hit against the Conference-USA opponent.
 
Meanwhile, the Bethune-Cookman offense returned to form at home after a tough night 24 hours prior in nearby DeLand.
 
Sophomore first baseman Danny Rodriguez led off the bottom of the second inning with a homer to left, putting the Wildcats on top, 1-0. For the Pembroke Pines, Florida native, it was his team-leading sixth home run of the season.
 
BCU (26-21) extended the lead with a pair of runs in the home-half of the third.
 
Redshirt junior shortstop Demetrius Sims led off with a single, followed by a double from left fielder Adonis Lao. Sims would eventually come around to score on the play courtesy an error charged to FIU left fielder Jack Schaaf. Playing in his first game in more than a month, designated hitter Austin Garcia plated Lao with a double down the line in left, putting the homestanding Wildcats on, 3-0.
 
FIU (26-21) pulled a run back in the top of the sixth when second baseman Kobe Lopez scored on a wild pitch in the dirt from Lindsay, bringing the visitors within a 3-1 margin.
 
The Maroon and Gold answered with two runs in the bottom of the seventh.
 
FIU reliever Franklin Van Gurp took the mound to pitch the frame, being met quickly with a single from second baseman Nate Sterijevski. Following a successful sacrifice bunt from sophomore centerfielder Josten Heron, Sims crossed Sterijevski with a single to left. The second run of the inning scored when junior third baseman Jameel Edney brought around Lao with a double to the left field wall.
 
Bethune-Cookman led 5-1 after seven innings played.
 
The Panthers scored a run in the eighth and ninth innings, respectfully, to cut into the BCU advantage, 5-3. Each run came in the form of a home run – one from JC Escarra and another from Javier Valdes.
 
Joseph Calamita faced Adam Sevario with a man aboard in the eighth, getting the substitute left fielder to strike out looking as he retired the side.
 
Junior Ivan Coutinho would close the game in the ninth.
 
The win went to Lindsay, upping his record to 2-7 on the season. He worked 7.2 innings, allowing two runs on three hits scattered. He walked two and struck out a season-high seven batters as well. Coutinho earned his team-high seventh save of the year with an inning of work, allowing the Valdes home run while striking out a pair.
 
The loss went to FIU starter Christopher Mourelle, dropping him to 4-3 for the year. He went just two innings before being removed, allowing just a run on two hits with a walk and a strikeout to boot.
 
Bethune-Cookman continues to stay out of conference this weekend as the Wildcats travel to Coral Gables, Florida for a three-game set against the University of Miami out of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC). The series begins Friday, May 5, at Alex Rodriguez Park at Mark Light Field. First pitch is slated for 7 p.m.
 
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