DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - Tanner Boccabello worked another gem as B-CU took the series opener against Jackson State, 6-2, Friday night at Jackie Robinson Ballpark 



Wildcats (16-13, 8-1 SWAC) jumped on Jackson State (20-9, 5-4 SWAC) from the start, as a hit-by-pitch and three straight singles plated a pair off the bat of Jose Gonzalez.

A sacrifice bunt from Irvin Escobar and a Manny Souffrain RBI single made it 4-0 before a double-play finally ended the B-CU threat. 

The Wildcats added a run in the second as Daniel Figueroa came around to score on a JSU fielding error. 

B-CU struck one more time an inning later as Gonzalez's leadoff double came in to score on an Escobar triple to make it 6-0.

Jackson State went down very quickly as Boccabello worked quickly through the Tiger order. The Tigers finally showed signs of life in the top of the eighth as a two-out triple made it 6-1. 

The Tigers did not make things easy in the ninth. A one-out error gave the Tigers life and back-to-back singles made it 6-2. As the Wildcats turned to the bullpen, the Tigers worked a walk to bring the tying run to the plate, but a flyout ended the game with the Cats on top.

Boccabello improved to 4-0 on the year after 8.2 innings in which he allowed two runs - one earned, on eight hits with just one walk and six strikeouts.

Dylan Dudones earned his first save of the season after recording the final out. 

• Jose Gonzalez finished the night a perfect 4-4 at the plate with an RBI, and two runs scored.
• Garrett Chun went 2-4 with a run scored.
• Only two Wildcats to appear in the game did not record a hit. 
• B-CU left five men on base. 

The Wildcats will look to secure a series win Saturday in game two of the series, set for a 6 p.m. start at "The Jack."

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