Daytona Beach, Fla. – The Wildcats erased a 4-0 deficit late as they took down Mississippi Valley State, 6-4, Saturday night at Jackie Robinson Ballpark.
 
How It Happened
 
A quiet start for both sides saw the two teams manage only three combined hits through three innings as B-CU starter Daniel Gaviria worked quickly through the MVSU order.
 
The Delta Devils (7-16, 0-5 SWAC) struck first in the contest off the bat of Dreylin Holmes. The third baseman sent one over the wall in right center to make it 1-0, MVSU in the top of the fourth.
 
First baseman Victor Holmes took the next pitch off the wall in dead center for a triple – he crossed home plate after an RBI single from Ryan Brown one batter later to make it 2-0. Gaviria settled down and ended the inning on a groundout.
 
MVSU added their third run of the ballgame in the top of the sixth as Christopher King singled in a runner from third to make it 3-0. Following the RBI, Dale Michaud took over on the mound for the Cats.
 
The Delta Devils chipped in another run in the top of the seventh after a walk and an RBI triple from Davione Hull made it 4-0.
 
Bethune-Cookman (13-10, 4-1 SWAC) finally crossed the plate in the bottom half of the inning as Boris Peña doubled to left center and scored on an Irvin Escobar fielder' choice.
 
The rally continued for the Wildcats as Jeremy Garcia singled and Brian Perez brought Escobar in to score on single to left.
 
The Delta Devils made a pitching change with two on and two out for the Wildcats, but it ended in disaster. Malik Stephens walked to load the bases, and a fly ball from Luis Tuero fell in between two fielders and into right center to clear the bases and give the Cats the 5-4 lead.
 
Joan Gonzalez took over for Michaud with one away in the eighth, quickly retiring the side to maintain the B-CU lead.
 
The Wildcats added some insurance in the eight on a Peña sacrifice fly that made it 6-4, and that would be enough for B-CU.
 
Gonzalez was awarded the save. He struck out three in 1.2 innings. Dale Michaud got the win after two innings in which he allowed one earned run.

Notes

• Only one Wildcat did not reach base safely in the game.
• MVSU outhit the Wildcats, 11-6.

 
Up Next

Game three of the three game set will begin at 1 p.m. tomorrow as B-CU looks for the series sweep. Louis Lipthratt will make the start on the mound for B-CU.
 

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) and www.bcuathletics.com.