Daytona Beach, Fla. – An all-around effort from the Wildcats saw them strike out 17 and put 11 runs on the board on the way to an 11-3 game two victory over MVSU, Saturday afternoon at Bethune Point.
 
How It Happened
 
Mississippi Valley State (10-16-1, 4-11 SWAC) opened the visiting half of the first with a pair of runs on a B-CU throwing error, but a double play ended any further threat.
 
The Wildcats (17-21, 11-6 SWAC) did not take long to reverse their fortunes. A ground-rule double and two errors on the MVSU third baseman loaded the bases, and Colton Olasin legged out a double on a ball up the middle to score Boris Peña and Coby Tweten.
 
Two batters later, Matthew Garcia tripled down the right field line, scoring a pair. Christopher Patterson capped off a 5-run inning with a single that scored Garcia.
 
The Wildcats pushed their lead to 6-2 in the fourth as Malik Stephens stole third and crossed the plate after an MVSU throwing error.
 
MVSU chipped away at the deficit in the fifth with a run after a hit-by-pitch and an RBI single that made it 6-3.

Two more Wildcats crossed the plate in the sixth on a Patterson RBI single and a sacrifice fly from Irvin Escobar that made it 8-3.
 
The Wildcats rounded out the afternoon with three more runs in the eight as Garcia notched his third RBI of the afternoon on an RBI single that scored Olasin. Not to be outdone, Patterson added his third RBI on his fourth hit of the afternoon. He came around to score on an RBI single by Irvin Escobar, making it 11-3, B-CU.
 
"We definitely needed this today," Wildcats head coach Jonathan Hernandez said after the game. "A better performance all-around from the guys, and it was a big one to help propel us into the second half of the SWAC season."
 
Nolan Santos made the start. He went seven strong innings, allowing three runs – only one earned – on five hits and one walk. He struck out the side in the second and fourth innings on the way to a season-high 12 punchouts.
 
"Nolan did his job today," Hernandez said. "He did what he had to do, he plays with effort, and he gives us a chance to win the series tomorrow."

Dale Michaud picked up where Santos left off, striking out the side in with a walk in the eighth.
 
Alec Mendez took the ninth. He hit the first batter he faced, but recovered to strikeout two and avoid any danger.
 
Garcia and Patterson finished with three RBIs each. Escobar and Olasin added a pair. Patterson enjoyed a 4-5 day with a double. Garcia, Peña, and Olasin each finished with multi-hit days.

"It's definitely a boost for everyone's confidence," Hernandez said. "we did a good job of scoring with two outs and creating pressure on the defense that leads to good results."
 
Notes

• Matthew Garcia now own's the Wildcats longest active on-base streak as it reaches 22 games on a second-inning triple and a single.
• Christopher Patterson now owns the only two four-hit games of the B-CU season.
• 12 punchouts for Santos marks his fourth double-digit K effort of the season, and his third in his last four starts.
• 17 strikeouts as a staff on the day marks a season high for the Wildcats. Their previous high had been 13 earlier in the season against Alabama State.

 
Up Next

The series finale is set for tomorrow at noon at Bethune Point. The Wildcats will have a chance to win the series as Hector Vazquez makes the start.
 

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