DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Tyler Norris, Jordan Pinto and Anthony Maldonado combined for 16 shutout innings and 20 strikeouts as Bethune-Cookman swept a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Southern Division doubleheader from visiting North Carolina Central by counts of 5-0 and 6-0, respectfully on Saturday afternoon at Jackie Robinson Ballpark.
 
In the opener, Norris matched his career-high of 11 strikeouts and scattered seven hits over eight innings as the Wildcats (16-24, 10-7MEAC) posted their first shutout since a 6-0 win over Milwaukee Feb. 24 Pinto added a strikeout working the ninth in relief.
 
Maldonado's effort in the night cap was a complete game three-hitter with eight strikeouts as the Wildcats opened up a three-game separation over the Eagles (22-20, 7-10 MEAC) for a berth in next month's MEAC Tournament.
 
Michael Deeb had three RBI for BCU in the opener, while Adonis Lao posted three RBI in the second game.
 
Sunday's finale has been moved up to 12 p.m. to accommodate the weather.
 
GAME 1
Deeb (3-4) broke open a scoreless tie in the fourth with a two-run double that scored Nate Sterijevski and Danny Rodriguez, then added another RBI in the Wildcats' three-run sixth.
 
Jameel Edney doubled in Sterijevski and scored on a single from Deeb, who would score on Zach Spivey's single.
 
Norris, now 3-5 on the season, got timely defensive help that kept the Eagles off the board.
 
In the fourth, Kyle Corbin's throw from right to home saved a run and ended a North Carolina Central rally. The next inning, a two-out Eagles rally was snuffed by a Lao sliding catch in left. Chase DeBonis also contributed in two Eagles thrown out on steal attempts.
 
Sterijevski finished the game 3-for-4 with two runs scored.
 
GAME 2
The Wildcats offense set the tone with a two-run first on RBI singles from Deeb and Jordan Stacy, respectfully.
 
In the fourth, BCU manufactured its first run when Deeb led off with a single, advanced to second on a Stacy bunt and scored on Spivey's single to right. Lao laid down a perfect bunt down third, allowing him to reach first and Spivey to score untested as BCU's lead increased to 4-0.
 
Lao concluded the scoring in the fifth with a two-out, bases-loaded single that plated Spivey and Rodriguez.
 
Maldonado (5-2) got his timely defensive help in the form of double plays in the fourth and fifth.
 
Deeb, Lao and Edney each had two hits for the Wildcats in the nightcap.
 
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