DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – A four-run ninth made it interesting, but Bethune-Cookman dropped the final game of its 2022 opening weekend series as Youngstown State posted a 10-9 victory Sunday at Jackie Robinson Ballpark.

How it Happened

The Wildcats (1-2) scored two in the first when Stephens plated on Patterson's sacrifice fly and Garcia scored on a throwing error.

The Penguins (2-1) took control with a six-run fifth inning that gave them a 7-2 lead.

However, B-CU couldn't score again until Stephens cleared the bases with a double in the seventh.

In the ninth, Malik Stephens brought in Colton Olasin with a single and scored on a Matthew Garcia double. Chris Patterson brought in Garcia with a single and scored on a fielder's choice.

Joan Gonzalez took the loss for B-CU, with Dale Michaud, Nicholas Billings, Derrius York and Brenton Fisher saw relief action, with Fisher closing with a scoreless ninth.

Stephens and Garcia each had three hits for the Wildcats, while Patterson and Olasin posted two each.

"It's not the way you want to start off opening weekend, but it's all in the process," Wildcats head coach Jonathan Hernandez said postgame. "I'm very proud of the way the guys fought. Any other team down by five going into the ninth would cave in."

With opening weekend in the books, Hernandez had several takeaways from his team.

"They showed heart," Hernandez said. "We showed our ability to score runs. I think the bullpen has been good for us. The season is a marathon - we're still trying to figure out what pieces fit, and we'll find the right combination when the time comes."

Notes

• Patterson finished the series with a .636 average (7-11).
• Malik Stephens finished the weekend with three multi-hit games.
• The Penguins drew 9 walks on the afternoon.
• The game featured 11 total errors - 5 by the Wildcats
• Knickolas BIllings provided three solid innings of relief, allowing only two hits with no walks, and no earned runs. 

Up Next

B-CU hosts Florida International and former B-CU coach/player Mervyl Melendez Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. at Jackie Robinson Ballpark.

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