ATLANTA – Three Wildcats knocked out home runs Friday morning to help lift Bethune-Cookman to a 16-0 victory over Texas Southern in an elimination game of the 2024 Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Baseball Tournament at Russ Chandler Stadium on the campus of Georgia Tech.
 
Bethune-Cookman (31-26) wasted little time jumping on the No. 1 seed from the Western Division with 10 runs across the first three innings.
 
Designated hitter Jose Gonzalez opened the scoring with a three-run home run to left field. The Wildcats then went back-to-back in the home run department as shortstop Ramses Cordova launched his fourth homer of the SWAC Tournament with a solo shot to straightway center in putting BCU on top, 4-0.
 
The Cats added four in the top of the second to make it 8-0.
 
Second baseman Colton Olasin recorded his first round-tripper of the season with a solo home run to left. Garrett Chun would make it 6-0 with an RBI single to left that crossed centerfielder Daniel Figueroa. A Jose Gonzalez double off the wall in left brought around Chun. And it would be Manny Souffrain getting an RBI when he was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, allowing Gonzalez to come in from third.
 
The run-rule was put into effect in the top of the third when BCU added two runs to make it 10-0.
 
Cordova knocked a single through the left side to plate Sergio Rivera and Chun, respectfully.
 
On the mound, Daniel Gaviria spun a gem for the Cats as he scattered just two hits in his five innings worked on the hill, walking one and striking out six batters in the process.
 
Souffrain's RBI single to shallow right in the fifth made it 11-0 for the Wildcats as Jorge Gonzalez Febo scored for the Maroon and Gold.
 
In the seventh, BCU put the game out of reach with five insurance runs.
 
Pinch hitter Franki Febles crossed Jorge Rodriguez with his single through the left side. And later in the at-bat, Rivera scored two on a single to deep right, allowing AJ Smith and Rodriguez to come in on the play. Gonzalez would plate the final score with a sacrifice fly to right, seeing Michael Rodriguez come in for the 16-0 advantage.
 
Texas Southern (24-24) was led offensively by Nin Burns II and Jaden Jones with a hit apiece, respectively.
 
The Cats offense was sparked by Chun with a 3-for-3 showing at the dish, adding three runs and an RBI. Cordova ended 2-for-4 with three RBIs and a run scored. And it was Jose Gonzalez turning in a 2-for-4 game with five RBIs and three runs, appropriately.
 
Bethune-Cookman returns to Russ Chandler Stadium on Friday afternoon at 3 p.m., as the Wildcats face off against Jackson State in an elimination game for the Maroon and Gold.
 
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