DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Bethune-Cookman exploded for 17 runs over the first seven innings to roll past Bradley Braves 17-6 on Saturday night at Jackie Robinson Ballpark.

The Wildcats (2-0) scored in six different innings and capitalized on 13 walks and nine wild pitches to pull away early and never look back. Bethune-Cookman Wildcats finished with seven hits but plated 17 runs thanks to constant pressure on the bases.

Bethune-Cookman jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first inning when Andrey Martinez doubled home Erick Almonte and later scored on a wild pitch. After Bradley cut the deficit to 2-1 on a solo homer in the fourth, the Wildcats responded with a four-run bottom half, highlighted by a two-run double from Jose Fernandez.

The Wildcats added three more in the fifth, including a two-run homer by Jeter Polledo, and then broke the game open in the sixth with a six-run inning. Darryl Lee drove in two with a single, Michael Rodriguez added an RBI after being hit by a pitch, and Ruben Zuany delivered a bases-loaded walk as Bethune-Cookman extended the lead to 15-1.

Two more runs came home in the seventh on a walk and a sacrifice fly, pushing the advantage to 17-1.

Edwin Sanchez earned the win, allowing one run on four hits while striking out 10 in five innings. He was followed by four relievers who combined to strike out eight more.

Bradley (0-2) scored once in the eighth and added four runs in the ninth, aided by four wild pitches, when the game was well out of reach.

Lee finished 2-for-2 with three runs scored and two RBIs for the Wildcats, while Martinez went 3-for-3 with three runs. Polledo drove in three runs, and Fernandez added two RBIs.

• The Wildcats won by 11 runs despite getting outhit by the Braves 8-7. Bradley pitching finished the evening with 13 walks.
• B-CU starter Edwin Sanchez allowed just one run on four hits including 10 strikeouts, picking up the win.
• Andrey Martinez and Darryl Lee each had multi-hit games.

The teams conclude the series Sunday in Daytona Beach beginning at 1 p.m.

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--#HailWildcats--