DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – A splendid midweek pitching show and some opportunistic offense helped Bethune-Cookman snap a six-game losing streak Wednesday night.

How It Happened
Hector Vazquez, Knickolas Billings and Brenton Fisher combined to scatter six hits, and the Wildcats scored twice on throwing errors in a 4-3 victory over Jacksonville at Jackie Robinson Ballpark.

"Quality win versus a quality opponent," Wildcats head coach Jonathan Hernandez said after the game. "This is a team that won the ASUN a year ago. Hopefully a win like this gets us going in the right direction heading into this weekend."

Vazquez picked up the victory with six innings of two-hit ball, recovering from a slow start in the first two innings. He retired nine straight at one point.

"This was an important start for us," Hernandez said. "The fact that Vazquez was able to eat some innings today, then turn over to Billings who has been fantastic for us and Fisher to close it out ... very pleased with the effort tonight." 

Billings worked two scoreless innings as B-CU (2-6) stretched its lead to 4-1 after seven innings.

Fisher struggled in the ninth, allowing the Dolphins (6-2) to close to 4-3 before retiring the final two batters, including a strikeout to end the game.

B-CU tied the game at 1-1 in the second when Colton Olasin singled home Boris Peña.

In the fifth,  Matthew Garcia doubled home Malik Stephens – who stole three bases – and scored after stealing on a two-out infield error.

"(Stephens) has been a godsend," Hernandez said. "We know once he gets on it's an automatic double. He causes havoc on the bases for us. He's got a chance to play baseball for a long time if it keeps up."

The Wildcats added what proved to be a needed run in the seventh when Gaylen Rutledge scored after throwing errors on a Peña single.

Olasin had two of B-CU five hits. Rutledge looked sharp defensively in right field with one catch at the warning track robbing Jacksonville of two runs.

Notes

• The Wildcats left seven men on base - JU left ten.
• Malik Stephens is up to nine steals on ten attempts through 8 games this season. 
• Knickolas Billings is still yet to allow an earned run through eight innings pitched in relief this season.

Up Next

B-CU will face Sacred Heart and Stetson on Saturday in DeLand. The first game will begin at 2 p.m.


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