BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Daniel Figueroa's single up the middle in the 10th inning scored Jeter Polledo and allowed Bethune-Cookman an 8-7 come-from-behind walk-off victory over Alabama State on Friday evening in the semifinals of the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Baseball Tournament at Rickwood Field. With the win, Bethune-Cookman advances to its second SWAC title game in three seasons under SWAC Coach of the Year Jonathan Hernandez.
 
Bethune-Cookman (36-21) overcame a 3-0 deficit entering the bottom of the seventh inning, scoring five runs in that frame to take the lead before Alabama State (31-29) countered with three runs in the eighth in a back-and-forth affair down the stretch over the course of the final four frames.
 
With Alabama State starting pitcher Shadai Colon throwing a gem through six innings, the left-hander finally ran into trouble in the home-half of the seventh.
 
Bethune-Cookman second baseman Jesus Vanegas drew a leadoff walk, followed two batters later by a Jeter Polledo walk, which was accompanied by a Sergio Rivera walk to load the bases with one out. The Wildcats finally got on the board on the ensuing play as Daniel Figueroa registered an RBI with a hit-by-pitch to score Vanegas and trim the B-CU deficit, 3-1.
 
The Hornets then looked to weekend starter Jorhan Laboy, as he was immediately met with a Darryl Lee sacrifice fly to right that drove across Polledo for the second run of the at-bat, though an error by ASU left fielder Kelvin Agosto allowed Rivera to advance to third and Figueroa to reach second, respectfully.
 
Jorge Rodriguez doubled down the line in left to record two RBIs, but his shot to the wall was coupled with another error charged to the ASU outfield, as each of B-CU's Figueroa, Rivera and Andrey Martinez scored to put the Wildcats on top, 5-3.
 
Alabama State immediately responded with three runs in the top of the eighth, scoring all runs against B-CU reliever Carlos Jazmin – with all runs coming unearned. The Hornets benefited from some defensive miscues by the Cats, as an infield error allowed Devin Chandler to score the first run of the inning and bring his side to within 5-4. Wilbert Espinal, serving as a pinch hitter for Fabian Santana, was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, scoring the tying run at 5-5. DeMarckus Smiley then delivered a two-RBI single through the right side, concluding the ASU rally and putting the Hornets back on top, 6-5.
 
The Cats then answered with a pair of runs in the bottom-half of the inning to reclaim the lead, 7-6.
 
Vanegas led off the at-bat being hit by a Laboy pitch, setting the stage for redshirt freshman All-SWAC shortstop Polledo to tally a game-tying RBI double to left center, scoring pinch runner Jayme Villafane in the process. A Figueroa two-out run-scoring single past the glove of ASU third baseman Jorge Bello moved the Maroon and Gold back on top when Polledo scored from third.
 
In the top of the ninth, Kameron Douglas' single to center was deep enough to drive across Agosto and knot the game once again, this time at 7-7.
 
After B-CU reliever Yoansell Diaz worked a scoreless 10th inning despite the Hornets loading the bases with one out, that allowed the stage to be set for the theatrical home-half. Diaz, pitching out of the bullpen on consecutive nights, faced the heart of the ASU lineup with one out and the bases loaded before getting Agosto and Juan Cruz to strike out back-to-back to retire the side.
 
Bethune-Cookman wasted no time in the home-half to take command.
 
Polledo led off with a single through the left side, and Rivera advanced him to second with a sacrifice bunt. That brought up Figueroa, who had already driven in two runs on the day. The center fielder worked the count to 2-1 before lining a single up the middle to score Polledo and send the Wildcats into celebration.
 
ASU began the game with a run in the top of the first inning using a Devin Chandler sacrifice fly to center that brought in Agosto after the leadoff man single to first to kick start the contest, and putting the Hornets up, 1-0. The Hornets doubled the lead in the third with a Douglas solo home run to right and putting his side up 2-0.
 
The lead would swell to 3-0 in the fifth after a Cruz RBI single to shallow left plated Agosto.
 
The game featured a bullpen battle that went back and forth.
 
ASU's Colon pitched effectively for 6.1 innings, allowing just two hits and four runs while striking out five. However, he walked four batters, which proved costly in the seventh inning. Trey Power (5-4) took the loss for the Hornets. He would work two innings, allowing three hits and one earned run in the game.
 
For B-CU, starter Pablo Torres went six strong innings on the bump without factoring into the decision, scattering eight hits and three runs while striking out three. The Wildcats used four pitchers in total, with Diaz (5-4) earning his second victory in as many nights against the Hornets pitching two innings of relief and striking out four.
 
For the ASU offense, Agosto went 2-for-5 with a triple and three runs scored. Douglas provided power with a solo home run in the third inning, his 17th of the season, and finished 2-for-5 with two RBIs.
 
Bethune-Cookman's offensive attack was balanced, with Figueroa leading the way with a 2-for-3 performance, three RBIs, and two runs scored. Polledo was equally impressive, going 2-for-4 with a double, one RBI, and three runs scored. Rodriguez contributed a crucial RBI double in the decisive seventh inning.
 
The Cats now await the winner of Saturday's elimination contest between Florida A&M and Grambling State. The SWAC title game is set for Sunday, May 25, at 2 p.m. ET (1 p.m. CT) back at Rickwood Field.
 
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