DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - A ninth-inning solo shot proved to be the difference as USF escaped Daytona Beach with a midweek win over Bethune-Cookman, Tuesday night at Jackie Robinson Ballpark.



After stranding a pair of runners on base in the first, the Wildcats (12-11, 4-1 SWAC) fell behind early as USF (15-10, 2-1 AAC) scored three runs in the top of the second on a sacrifice fly and two-run homer. 

The Bulls stranded runners in the third, fourth, and fifth before making it 4-0 on an RBI groundout in the fifth. 

The Wildcats finally got on the board in the bottom of the fifth as back-to-back singles to leadoff the inning resulted in a Garrett Chun RBI groundout to make it a 4-1 game. 

A half-inning later, USF grabbed another run on a fielder's choice to grow the lead to 5-1.

B-CU rallied in the bottom of the sixth, taking advantage of the Bulls bullpen for four runs. After back-to-back singles to start the frame and a sacrifice bunt put Jorge Rodriguez and Daniel Figueroa at second and third, Ramses Cordova brought Figueroa in with a sacrifice fly to make it 5-2. 

A Bulls fielding error put runners on the corners before Colton Olasin stole second. Sergio Rivera plated both on an RBI single through the left side of the infield. He came around to score on a Chun RBI single to tie things at 5-5.

USF threatened again in the seventh, as a pair of walks put runners on with two outs, but a flyout ended the inning. The Bulls stranded two more in the eighth. 

A solo homer was the difference as USF led off the top of the ninth with a ball over the wall in left field to make it 6-5.

B-CU showed life in the bottom of the ninth with two outs. Jose Gonzalez reached on a two-out error before Jayme Villafane stole second, and Manny Souffrain and Daniel Figueroa worked back-to-back two-out walks. A swinging strikeout stopped the rally short as USF held on for the win.  

In his first start as a Wildcat, Colby Lipovsky tossed 3.2 innings, allowing three runs - all earned - on four hits, two walks, and three strikeouts.

Jeffrey Gonzalez took the loss after allowing the solo shot. Carlos Jazmin, Patrick Groark, and Pablo Torres also appeared out of the pen for B-CU. 

• Garrett Chun and Sergio Rivera each collected multiple RBI on the night. 
• Jose Gonzale extended hit on-base streak to 21 straight games with a hit and walk Tuesday. 
•  The Wildcats stranded 10 runners. USF stranded 11. 

The Wildcats will open a three-game SWAC series with Alabama A&M beginning Thursday, March 28 at 7 p.m. at Jackie Robinson Ballpark. 


Follow Bethune-Cookman Baseball on Twitter (@BCUDiamondCats) and Instagram (@BCUBaseball) 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.