DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - After a 15-run perfornance in the series opener, the Wildcats did one better with a 16-6 run-rule win over Alcorn State in eight innings, Saturday night at Jackie Robinson Ballpark



For the second-straight night, Alcorn State (2-13, 0-2 SWAC) got on the board in the first, as a two-out, two-run home run gave the Braves an early lead.

Bethune-Cookman (9-10, 2-0 SWAC) cut the deficit in half in the bottom of the first as a leadoff hit batter, single, and sacrifice fly from Jorge Rodriguez made it 2-1.

The Braves struck again in the second as the first three batters reached via a walk, ground-rule double, and RBI single. B-CU's Joel Core managed to force a double-play, but another run came in on the groundball to add to the Braves lead at 4-1. 

Alcorn State added two more after a 1-2-3 frame for the Wildcats, with an RBI triple and single, both with two outs, made it 6-1 in just the third inning. 

Jeter Polledo led off the bottom of the third with a triple to left, coming aroudn to score on a Daniel Figueroa groundout to cut it to 6-2 before a double play ended the rally one batter later. 

As B-CU turned to the bullpen in Jean Carlos Zambrano in the fourth, the Cats finally forced a 1-2-3 frame for the Braves. B-CU took two more runs back as Andrey Martinez sent his fourth homer of the season over the wall in left center to move to within 6-4. 

The Cats moved in front for good in the bottom of the fifth. putting two runners on with one out on a hit-by-pitch and single. Jorge Rodriguez collected two more RBI on a double to left center, scoring Jesus Vanegas and Darryl Lee. Another hit batter and a fielders choice put two runners on for Manny Souffrain, who put the Wildcats ahead with an RBI double.

Jose Fernandez capped off the five-run rally with an RBI double to make it 9-6. 

Rodriguez plated yet another run in the bottom of the sixth to push the Cats lead to 10-6. 

B-CU rallied again for six runs in the bottom of the eighth, taking advantage of two walks, two hit batters, a wild pitch, and RBI knocks for Martinez, Irvin Escobar, and Michael Rodriguez, who's RBI double to the wall in left ended the night at 16-6. 

Joel Core made the start, allowing six runs on seven hits with two walks and four strikeouts.

Jean Carlos Zambrano earned the win with five strong innings of scoreless ball, allowing only a single hit and a walk with five punchouts. 

• Andrey Martinez knocked in four RBI on a 3-5 finish at the plate. He scored three runs with a homer and a steal.
• Jorge Rodriguez also contributed four RBI on a 3-3 night with two doubles and a walk. 
• Jorge Gonzalez Febo was hit by a pitch three times.
• Jesus Vanegas went 3-5 with two runs scored. 
• 16 hits in a game is the most in a single game this season for B-CU - the Wildcats collected 15 hits in their 30-5 win over UMES on March 2. 
• Andrey Martinez ties Armani Newton for a team-high four homers. B-CU has 19 homers as a team. 
• Jeter Polledo has hit safely in eight straight games. Manny Souffrain has reached base in 12 straight. 

The series finale is set for a noon first pitch Sunday. 


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