DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Junior right-hander Dylan Dudones pitched five solid innings in his first-ever NCAA Division I start Tuesday evening, as Bethune-Cookman defeated visiting Florida International, 10-4 in nonconference baseball action inside Jackie Robinson Ballpark.
 
Bethune-Cookman (3-1) struck early, plating three runs in the bottom of the second inning.
 
Jose Gonzalez walked, and Manny Souffrain also drew a base on balls to put a runner in scoring position for the Wildcats. Junior shortstop Ramses Cordova then delivered an RBI single to third base to drive in Gonzalez for the game's opening score. Irvin Escobar followed with an RBI single to score Souffrain from third. Colton Olasin capped off the inning with a sacrifice fly to bring home Cordova and give BCU a 3-0 advantage.
 
Bethune-Cookman extended the lead to 5-0 with two more runs in the fourth.
 
After Rivera and Cordova walked, Escobar reached on a throwing error charged to FIU third baseman Brylan West that allowed both BCU base runners to score on the play, respectively.
 
FIU (3-1) finally broke through on Dudones in the top of the fifth inning.
 
Leadoff hitter Brylan West tripled to right center to plate Roylan Quevedo. Meanwhile, Ryne Guida followed with an RBI single as FIU cut the deficit to 7-2.
 
BCU answered in kind with a pair of runs in the home-half of the inning.
 
Garrett Chun drew a leadoff walk to begin the at-bat for the Cats, before eventually moving to third on a failed pickoff attempt from relief pitcher Cameron Knox on his throw to shortstop Alex Ulloa at second. Souffrain immediately delivered a two-run single to center scoring Chun and Jorge Gonzalez Febo.
 
After FIU pulled a pair of runs back in the top of the seventh, it didn't take the Wildcats long to respond with three additional runs in the bottom of the inning.
 
Febo singled and stole second base before coming around to score on a bases-loaded RBI walk taken by Escobar. That allowed BCU second baseman Olasin to deliver a two-run double to center and push the BCU advantage out to 10-2.
 
Dudones (1-0) earned the win in his first start, as the FSC Jacksonville product went five innings on the mound, allowing two runs on six hits, one walk and registering two strikeouts. The loss went to FIU starter Richie Pena (0-1) as he lasted just three innings before being chased, giving up three runs on three hits, two walks and three strikeouts for the Panthers.
 
BCU also used Dylan Vega out of the bullpen for three innings, followed by the final frame being pitched by Jeffrey Gonzalez. Combined, the bullpen allowed just two runs on three hits over the final four innings of play.
 
FIU was led offensively by West as he posted a 3-for-4 effort at the dish with a run scored and one driven in. Designated hitter Ryne Guida added a 3-for-5 night with the bat, also recording an RBI and run scored himself.
 
The Cats were led offensively by six different players with a hit each, including Olasin's 1-for-3 effort with three RBIs. Escobar and Souffrain also tallied two RBIs each for the Maroon and Gold.
 
Bethune-Cookman travels to Fort Myers, Florida this upcoming weekend for a three-game stretch against the Florida Gulf Coast Eagles beginning Friday, Feb. 23, at 6:30 p.m.
 
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