DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Bethune-Cookman right-hander Joel Core delivered his third career quality start Saturday evening despite the Wildcats dropping the series-decider to Stony Brook 3-2 at Jackie Robinson Ballpark. Stony Brook claimed Friday evening's series-opening game, 7-4.
 
Stony Brook (2-0) gathered its only run of the game off B-CU starter Joel Core in the top of the second inning.
 
Luke Szepek hit a towering home run to left field that put the visiting Seawolves on top, 1-0.
 
Core, a sophomore from Orlando, would quickly settle to retire 17 of the next 22 batters faced, hurling an even 100 pitches on the night.
 
With both starting pitchers going strong, added Stony Brook's Nicholas Rizzo working efficiently with just 87 pitches in his seven innings worked, Bethune-Cookman (0-2) finally got to the left-hander in the home-half of the fifth.
 
Armani Newton doubled off the wall in right-center to begin the at-bat for the Wildcats, advancing up a base on a fly out from catcher Irvin Escobar. Newton would eventually score on a double steal attempt that saw the transfer from Florida Gulf Coast cross safely, with teammate Daniel Figueroa holding up the play long enough for the run to come across.
 
The two starters for each side would exit the game after seven innings worked apiece, respectively, and the game knotted at 1-1.

Julian Carrasquilla took over on the bump for the Wildcats to begin the eighth inning.
 
It would be a slow start for the junior from Miami, Florida, as he hit a batter, moved the runner with a failed pickoff attempt at first, and later saw leadoff man Matt Miceli land on third via wild pitch. A sacrifice fly from first baseman Erik Paulsen crossed the Seawolves shortstop, giving the visitors a 2-1 lead.
 
The Seawolves lead stretched to 3-1 in the top of the ninth as Cam Santerre worked his way aboard to lead off the frame, before scoring on a fielding error charged to the B-CU infield.
 
The Cats would respond in the home-half of the inning as second baseman Jesus Vanegas registered a ground-rule double over the wall in center with one out. Pinch hitter Jose Fernandez lined an RBI single up the middle to plate Vanegas, and cut the deficit, 3-2. After Newton walked to out two abord with two outs, Jorge Rodriguez sent a deep shot to straightaway center before it was gathered in near the warning track by Stony Brook centerfielder Santerre for the final out of the contest.
 
The win went to Seawolves starter Rizzo (1-0), as he allowed just one run on two hits scattered and four strikeouts. The save went to Jacob Pedersen (1) in two innings of work out of the bullpen. Carrasquilla (0-1) accepted the loss in 0.2 innings of relief, allowing just one unearned run with two walks and a strikeout. Carlos Jazmin closed the game on the bump for the Maroon and Gold.
 
The Stony Brook offense was led by Santerre's 2-for-3 showing at the dish, adding a run.
 
B-CU was paced at the plate by five different players with a hit, including Newton (1-for-3) and Vanegas (1-for-4).
 
The two teams conclude the series on Sunday at noon.
 
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