DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - Bethune-Cookman baseball begins its journey back to the Southwestern Athletic Conference Title game as the Wildcats open the 2024 season with a three-game series with the Stonehill Skyhawks. 

What was originally scheduled as a traditional weekend series has been altered due to expected inclement weather rolling in ahead of Sunday's contest. As a result, the current schedule sees B-CU open the 2024 slate with a doubleheader on Friday, Feb. 16 beginning at 3 p.m., followed by the series finale at 1 p.m. Saturday. Times are subject to change.



Friday-Saturday, February 16-17
Opponent: Stonehill 
Time: 3 p.m. Saturday (2nd game to start 45 minute after first ends) | 1 p.m. 
Location: Daytona Beach, Fla. | Jackie Robinson Ballpark
Live Stats: https://bcuathletics.com/sidearmstats/baseball/summary
Watch: https://www.youtube.com/cateyenetwork




The Stonehill Skyhawks were elevated to NCAA DI in April, 2022 as members of the Northeast Conference (NEC). In their first season of DI Competition, the Skyhawks finished the year 14-35 with a 10-20 conference record.

In 2023, Stonehill hit .258 as a team with 27 homers, scoring an average of just under five runs per game.. On the mound, they pitched to a team ERA of 8.01 overall, and 5.87 in NEC play. 

Notably returning for the Skyhawks is graduate student Conor Kiely. A season ago, the outfield led his team in hits (73) and batting average (.361). Also returning for Stonehill is senior catcher/outfielder, Blaine Lidsky, who finished second on the team with 31 RBI last season. 

They also return three of their top four arms by innings pitched, including Pierce Friedman, Ryan Douglas, and Jack Iannibelli. Friedman starred for the Skyhawks as a freshman in 2023, allowing a 3.59 ERA with 41 strikeouts to only 25 walks in 52 innings pitched. 

• The 2024 Wildcats feature only 13 returners from last season's SWAC runner-ups.
• The Wildcats finished the 2023 season 33-27, including a 20-9 record in SWAC play, and a 22-9 record at home.
• Head coach Jonathan Hernandez enters the 2024 season at 83 career wins - 17 shy of win #100 as a head coach. 
• The 2024 Wildcats feature nine freshmen three sophomores, 17 juniors, seven seniors, and five graduate students. 

This weekend marks the first meeting on the diamond in the history of the two programs. 


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