MIAMI – A big first inning was too much for visiting Bethune-Cookman to erase Tuesday evening as the Wildcats fell to FIU, 9-2 in a midweek non-conference tilt at FIU Baseball Stadium.
 
A nine-run first inning was all FIU (2-2) required to surge past the visitors from Daytona Beach.
 
Bethune-Cookman rookie pitcher Joseph Strong was welcomed rather rudely to collegiate baseball in his debut on the mound for the Maroon and Gold. The Gainesville, Florida native was tagged for eight runs on five hits and three walks in just a third of an inning of work.
 
An Adan Fernandez two-run homer highlighted the Panthers at-bat, leading to a 9-0 lead for FIU after just an inning in the books.
 
Bethune-Cookman (1-3) found the offense with a run in the fourth and fifth innings, respectively.
 
Senior outfielder Zach Spivey started the fourth inning Wildcats at-bat with a single through the right side, followed by Silas Grinstead's single to short. A Danny Rodriguez single through the hole in the right side of the infield allowed Spivey to score easily from third, cutting the deficit at 9-1.
 
In the fifth, BCU chipped into the lead once more when shortstop Joseph Fernando registered a leadoff homer down the left field line off FIU reliever Everett Hurst, bringing the score to the final 9-2 margin.
 
The win went to Hurst (1-0) in working the fifth and sixth innings out of the bullpen for FIU, allowing just one run on two hits and collecting three strikeouts. Starter Franco Aleman went the game's first four innings before exiting without a decision, allowing a run on four hits and picking up five strikeouts.
 
The loss went to BCU's Strong (0-1). Alex Mendez would relieve Strong in order to finish the opening frame, ending his night with 1.2 innings tossed overall.
 
As a team, the Cats picked up seven hits in the game, including a 2-for-4 night at the dish by Grinstead, as well as RBI hits from Rodriguez and Fernando (solo homer).
 
Bethune-Cookman gets back to the diamond Friday, Feb. 22, when the Wildcats welcome Boston College for the home opener at Radiology Associates Field at Jackie Robinson Ballpark. First pitch of the three-game set is scheduled for 6 p.m.
 
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