DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Four errors in the opening half-inning allowed visiting Florida Gulf Coast to score seven runs en route to a decisive 10-4 series evening victory over Bethune-Cookman on Saturday afternoon at Radiology Associates Field at Jackie Robinson Ballpark. BCU took the series opening game Friday evening, 3-1.
 
Bethune-Cookman (4-8) was tagged with three errors on the first two batters of the game Saturday afternoon, eventually leading to Florida Gulf Coast sending 12 men to the plate in the opening half-inning. In all, BCU committed four opening inning errors – three of those charged to junior first baseman Danny Rodriguez.
 
BCU starting pitcher Brandon Wilkes, making his first collegiate start as a pitcher, was charged with an error on a sacrifice bunt attempt by Florida Gulf Coast's Gage Morey.
 
FGCU (7-2) plated seven runs in the top of the first, using an RBI single from first baseman Jay Hayes with the bases loaded to score Kohl Gilmore. That was followed a play later by Eli Lovell's single past the glove of Wilkes to drive across Alex Brait. The final run was scored when leadoff hitter Marc Coffers, batting for the second time in the inning, delivered a run-scoring single to center field that allowed Lovell to race in from second.
 
Bethune-Cookman pulled back two runs in the bottom of the second to cut into the score, 7-2.
 
The Wildcats at-bat began with center fielder Zach Spivey drawing a leadoff walk, only to be scored two plays later off the end of designated hitter Ian Claudio's RBI single to center field. Adonis Lao would bring around Claudio when he singled back up the middle for his first hit of the afternoon.
 
With sophomore relief pitcher Brady Norris settling down the FGCU bats, BCU was once again able to score a pair of runs and inch closer with two scored in the fourth inning.
 
Second baseman Clarence Carter stepped to the plate and recorded a single to right, followed by Claudio registering a walk. That set the stage for catcher Chase DeBonis to lay down a sacrifice bunt that was misplayed by the Eagles' Hayes at first on the throw from third baseman Richie Garcia, allowing Carter to come in from second for the score. Lao placed his second hit of the day to center, bringing in Claudia and cutting into the BCU deficit, 7-4.
 
However, Florida Gulf Coast added three insurance runs in the top of the seventh, using a RBI double down the left field line from Christian Proffitt to bring in Hayes. Coffers' single up the middle would add to the lead as his hit scored Proffitt and Jake Smith, respectfully.
 
That produced the final 10-4 decision in favor of the visitors from Ft. Myers, playing in their first set of away games this season.
 
The win went to FGCU's Josh Dye (2-0) in a starting role. The left-hander worked the minimum, allowing four runs (three earned) on five hits, while also walking two batters and striking out a game-high six.
 
Brandon Wilkes took a tough loss to fall to 0-1 on the year. He went just 0.1 inning, being tagged for seven runs (three earned) on four hits and a walk. Brady Norris went 6.2 innings in relief, allowing three runs on eight hits scattered and fanning four. And it was Jordan Pinto closing things out with two innings on the bump, just surrendering one hit and striking out one.
 
BCU was led offensively by Jameel Edney's 3-for-5 effort at the plate. Claudio finished 2-for-3 with a RBI and two runs. And it was Lao going 2-for-4 at the dish with a pair of runs driven in.
 
Bethune-Cookman and Florida Gulf Coast meet in the rubber game of the series Sunday at 1 p.m., back at Radiology Associates Field at Jackie Robinson Ballpark.
 
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