DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Bethune-Cookman allowed five runs across the second and third innings, respectfully, on Wednesday evening as the Wildcats dropped a 7-3 decision to visiting Fairfield in non-conference baseball action inside Radiology Associates Field at Jackie Robinson Ballpark.
 
Bethune-Cookman (6-12) took an early 3-0 in the home-half of the first inning.
 
After Kyle Corbin walked and advanced on a balk, shortstop Nate Sterijevski plated the Orlando, Florida native with a single shot back up the middle for the game's opening score. A play later, Sterijevski would score following an infield single by Joseph Fernando and a throwing error charged to Fairfield second baseman Brett Morrison.
 
The third run for the Wildcats came when senior left fielder Adonis Lao drove across Danny Rodriguez courtesy a RBI single to right field.
 
Fairfield (4-8) brought back two runs in the top-half of the second inning.
 
A leadoff walk to designated hitter Anthony Boselli and a double from Mitch Williams set the stage for Tom Ryan to plate a run with a single to third. The second run crossed in the form of Williams on a double steal alongside Ryan swiping second.
 
The visitors took the lead in the top of the third as Boselli registered a here-run homer to left field to put the Stags up, 5-3.
 
Fairfield would add a pair of insurance runs in the top-half of the ninth, using a Jack Gethings RBI single up the middle, as well as a sacrifice fly to right from first baseman Drew Blake.
 
Fairfield relief pitcher Bobby McNiff collected the win, his first decision in his first action of the year for the Stags. He tossed four innings, scattering a pair of hits with a walk and four strikeouts. Ian Halpin collected his first save of the year in two innings of action in working around four hits allowed and a walk.
 
The loss went to BCU starter Alexis Herrera, dropping his record for the year down to 1-3. The hard-throwing right-hander worked just 2.1 innings on the mound, giving up five earned runs on six hits, a walk and producing four strikeouts.
 
The BCU offensive attack was led by Nate Sterijevski with a 3-for-5 night, adding a run and a RBI. Joseph Fernando would finish 2-for-5 at the dish.
 
BCU returns to action this weekend as the Wildcats travel to North Carolina Central for a three-game Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) series at Durham Bulls Park in Durham, North Carolina. The series begins Saturday with a doubleheader at 1 p.m.