BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Irvin Escobar bagged three hits and drove in a run Wednesday morning in helping top-seeded Bethune-Cookman erase an early 3-0 deficit to win the opening game of the 2025 Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Baseball Tournament courtesy a 5-3 decision over No. 8 seed Texas Southern at Rickwood Field in Birmingham, Alabama.
 
"It may not have been as smooth as we wanted it to be, but we knew it was going to be a tough test against a team that is clearly not a No. 8 seed – and so much better than they're seeding," said Bethune-Cookman Head Coach Jonathan Hernandez afterwards. "Not only did we just play them [Texas Southern] to conclude the regular season at home, but we know how good they are swinging the bat and how well-coached they are. That's a good win today opening the tournament against a very talented team."
 
Texas Southern (22-31) struck first with a three-run second inning, highlighted by Tyler Legendre's solo home run down the left field line – his seventh of the season. Kelton Phillips added an RBI double at the top of the order the second time around for the Tigers, before he later came around to score on Bryce Hughes' infield single to give the Tigers a seemingly comfortable 3-0 advantage.
 
Bethune-Cookman (34-21) immediately responded in the bottom half of the second when All-SWAC second baseman Jesus Vanegas singled and eventually scored on catcher Irvin Escobar's base hit through the left side to trim the deficit to 3-1.
 
Once again, the Wildcats chipped away at the deficit in the fourth inning when designated hitter Jose Fernandez blasted a solo home run to left field – giving him two round-trippers on the season, making it 3-2. The Maroon and Gold then tied the game in the fifth when speedster Daniel Figueroa doubled before working his way to third on Darryl Lee's groundout. He would then execute a perfect steal of home following a throw to first from Tigers pitcher Clavin McClendon as he tried to catch Andrey Martinez leaning at first after the third baseman was intentionally walked a play earlier.
 
The Cats took their first lead of the day in the home-half of the seventh when Escobar doubled to right-center and scored on a Figueroa RBI single through the left side past the glove of a diving Jaden Flores at third base. They added an insurance run in the eighth when Vanegas singled and later scored on Sergio Rivera's sacrifice fly to left field, producing the final 5-3 score line.
 
The Wildcats' pitching staff performed admirably after weathering the early storm. All-SWAC starter Edwin Sanchez recovered from the rough second inning to complete six solid frames, allowing just five hits while striking out six batters. Carlos Jazmin was equally impressive in a relief effort out of the bullpen, delivering three scoreless innings to earn the win and improve his record to 2-1 on the campaign. The right-hander allowed just one hit while striking out one batter.
 
"Our pitchers showed tremendous composure today," added Hernandez. "After falling behind early, they settled in and gave our offense time to chip away at the lead. Sanchez gave us exactly what we needed, but he had thrown over 100 pitches in the sixth, so we looked to Jazmin to finish it off for us. And he did just that."
 
For Texas Southern, McClendon took the loss (3-4) in allowing four runs (three earned) over six innings while striking out six. James Malone pitched the final two innings, surrendering one run on four hits.
 
The Tigers' offense, which started promisingly, was held to just one hit over the final four innings. Phillips led the way with a 2-for-4 performance including an RBI double, while Legendre's home run provided the other offensive highlight.
 
Bethune-Cookman's offense was highlighted by Escobar's 3-for-4 day at the dish, adding his eighth double of the season, respectively. Vanegas turned in a 2-for-4 outing at the plate with a pair of runs scored. Also recording a multi-hot day was Figueroa finishing 2-for-4 with a run scored and one RBI.
 
The Wildcats advance in the winner's bracket of the double-elimination tournament and will face No. 3 seed Alabama State on Thursday at 4 p.m. ET (3 p.m. CT).
 
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