ORLANDO, Fla. – A neck-and-neck game went the way of the hosts as Bethune-Cookman fell to UCF, 5-4, in 10 innings Tuesday at John Euliano Park.
BCU (15-28) was led by Clarence Carter's three hits, while reliever Brandon Wilkes fired four shutout relief innings. However, the Wildcats stranded 14 runners.
The Wildcats took the lead in the first off a bases-loaded, two-out double by Carter down the right field line.
After the game was knotted at two, Joe Fernando reached on a fielder's choice with the bases loaded to give the 'Cats a 3-2 lead in the fifth.
In the eighth, again with the bases full, Josten Heron delivered a two-out RBI single to right to even the score at four.
Wilkes received a no-decision in relief. He entered with the bases loaded in the sixth and one hit in four innings, no runs, a trio of walks, and four strikeouts.
Starter Alex Mendez pitched five innings with nine hits, two walks, and four strikeouts. He allowed four runs.
Jordan Pinto (4-3) was hung with the loss after UCF's (24-17) Matthew Mike delivered a walk-off single in the 10th.
BCU begins a three-game series at North Carolina A&T on Friday at 1 p.m. in an ESPNU televised game.
Follow Bethune-Cookman Baseball on Twitter (@BCUDiamondCats) for all of the latest news and updates. For all Bethune-Cookman Athletics news, follow us on Twitter (@BCUathletics), Instagram (@BCUathletics), Snapchat (@BCUathletics) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/BCUathletics).
