Daytona Beach, Fla. – Seven RBI for Malik Stephens ties B-CU's all-time record in single-game RBI – set back in 2013 – as the Wildcats pounced on Alabama A&M, 12-1, Sunday afternoon at Jackie Robinson Ballpark.
 
How It Happened
 
For the second time this weekend, Malik Stephens got the Wildcats (22-28, 16-10 SWAC) going early with a leadoff homer to left.
 
A few batters later, Irvin Escobar legged out an infield single that scored Matthew Garcia from third, putting the Wildcats up, 2-0.  
 
B-CU loaded the bases with no one out in the bottom of the fourth. A fielder's choice and a strikeout put the inning in jeopardy, but Malik Stephens came through with a full-count double over the head of the fielder in left center, clearing the bases and pushing the Wildcats' lead to 5-0.
 
Alabama A&M (13-33, 9-18 SWAC) grabbed their only run of the ballgame in the top of the fifth on a solo home run.
 
The Wildcats broke things open in the bottom of the fifth, loading the bases yet again with one out. Jeremy Garcia pushed a run across on a hit-by-pitch that made it 6-0. A wild pitch scored Manny Souffrain to make it 7-1.
 
Stephens stepped up to the plate with his second bases-loaded opportunity of the afternoon. He delivered again with another hard-hit double into left center that scored three, tying the Wildcats' all-time single-game RBI record, set by Anthony Stokes back in 2013.    
"Phenomenal series for Stephens," Wildcats head coach Jonathan Hernandez said after the game. "He's a guy that's been consistent for us at the top of the lineup, so kudos to him and the work he's put in. We'll need him to stay hot as we wrap up the season."
 
"He's trusting himself and trusting what we're teaching him," Hernandez said of Stephens's growth this season. "He's understanding the role of a leadoff guy and he's maturing as a player."
 
The Wildcats wrapped things up early as Boris Peña pushed a pair of runs across in the eighth to make it 12-1. The SWAC's 10-run rule ended the afternoon.  
Hector Vazquez made the start. In six innings, he allowed only one run on the solo homer, four hits, and one walk. He struck out nine.
 
Yoansell Diaz entered in the seventh. In his second appearance of the season, he allowed only one hit with a strikeout in two innings of work.
 
Notes

• Malik Stephens has reached base safely in 21 straight games after his monster afternoon. He is quickly approaching the season-best on-base streak of 22 which belongs to Matthew Garcia.
• Stephens ties Boris Peña for the team lead in homers at five.
• Stephens overtakes Matthew Garcia for the team lead of 33 RBI.
• Boris Peña, Irvin Escobar, and Jeremy Garcia each added RBI on the day.
• Irvin Escobar went 3-5.
• Matthew Garcia, Christopher Patterson, and Manny Souffrain each also enjoyed multi-hit games.
• 16 hits in the game sets a new season-high for the Wildcats.

 
Up Next

The Wildcats will travel just down I4 for their final midweek contest of the season as they take on UCF, Tuesday, May 17 at 6 p.m.   
   
 
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