DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - The speed of
AJ Smith and the bat of
Ramses Cordova were the difference as the Wildcats walked off their second consecutive midweeker - this time over UNF, 2-1 - Tuesday night at Jackie Robinson Ballpark.
UNF (13-7, 3-0 ASUN) threatened first, loading the bases in the bottom of the second before
Joel Core got a looking strikeout to escape unscathed.
It was
Ramses Cordova putting the Wildcats (10-9, 3-0 SWAC) in front in the bottom of the third on a solo homer - his first of the season - over the wall in left field that made it 1-0.
The Wildcats stranded two more in the fourth and one in the fifth before the Ospreys loaded the bases once again in the sixth, scoring one run to tie things at 1-1 before a groundout prevented further damage.
Tied at 1-1 in the bottom of the ninth,
Irvin Escobar worked a one-out single before
AJ Smith took over on the basepaths as a pinch runner. After a UNF pitching change, Smith advanced to second on a wild pitch.
With two away, Cordova swung on the first pitch he saw, flaring a blooper out into shallow right just over the reach of the first baseman. As the ball connected with turf,
AJ Smith rounded third and scored to give B-CU the 2-1 win.
Joel Core was excellent again in the midweek start, working six strong innings of two-hit ball, allowing just one run with three walks and five strikeouts.
Jeffrey Gonzalez earned the win. He threw three scoreless innings, striking out four and walking one.
The biggest series of the season to-date is on deck for the Wildcats, who welcome in defending SWAC champion, Florida A&M, for a three-game series at Jackie Robinson Ballpark. First pitch is set for Friday, March 22 at 7 p.m.
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--#HailWildcats--
