LORMAN, Miss. — The Wildcats outscored the Braves 26-5 in a dominant double-header sweep at McGowan Stadium. The victory moves B-CU to 6-0 in the SWAC, its best-ever start in baseball since joining the league.
Game 1: B-CU 12, Alcorn 2
Bethune-Cookman (16-7, 5-0 SWAC) opened the scoring in the first inning. Erick Almonte singled and later scored on Jeter Polledo's RBI groundout to give the Wildcats a 1-0 lead.
The Wildcats added to their lead in the second inning when Michael Rodriguez scored on a balk, extending the advantage to 2-0.
Alcorn State (5-18, 1-4 SWAC) got on the board in the bottom of the second after a fielder's choice by Adrian Vallescorbo, which cut the deficit to 2-1.
B-CU broke the game open in the fourth inning. Maikol Lucena came through with a three-RBI single to push the lead to 5-1.
After a scoreless fifth, the Wildcats added four more runs in the sixth. Lucena, along with Andrey Martinez and Michael Rodriguez, picked up RBI hits to take a 9-1 lead.
The Wildcats continued to add on in the eighth inning. Jeter Polledo scored on a groundout by Jorge Rodriguez, while Chris Watson laced an RBI triple to make it 12-1.
Christian Dunn picked up an RBI in the bottom of the inning for the Braves, but they were unable to avoid the run rule.
Edwin Sanchez earned the win for Bethune-Cookman, allowing one run on five hits over seven innings while striking out four. Jean Carlos Zambrano worked the final two innings in relief.
Lucena led the Wildcats with five RBIs, while Watson drove in two. B-CU finished with 14 hits in the win.
Game 2: B-CU 14, Alcorn 3
Bethune-Cookman again opened the scoring in the first inning. Erick Almonte singled and later scored on Jeter Polledo's RBI single to give the Wildcats a 1-0 lead.
The Wildcats added another run in the second inning on Darryl Lee's sacrifice fly, extending the lead to 2-0.
B-CU created separation in the third inning with five runs. Michael Rodriguez and Darryl Lee picked up RBI knocks, while Erick Almonte walked with the bases loaded. As a result, the lead ballooned to 7-0.
Alcorn State (6-19) got on the board in the bottom of the third on a fielder's choice by Jamir Hollway, cutting the deficit to 7-1.
The Braves added two more runs in the fourth inning. Asher Friedman and Kanious Davis recorded RBI singles to make it 7-3.
B-CU responded in the fifth inning on another RBI from Darryl Lee, pushing the lead to 8-3.
The Wildcats put the game out of reach in the sixth inning with a six-run frame. Five Wildcats pickedup RBIs, including the first of the season for Caleb Scott, to finish off the dominant win.
Bethune-Cookman finished with 13 hits, while Alcorn State managed seven.
Tanner Boccabello (2-0) earned the win, allowing three runs on six hits over six innings while striking out nine. Andris Barroso pitched a scoreless inning in relief.
- The Wildcats out-hit the Braves 27-13 during the double-header.
- Edwin Sanchez and Tanner Boccabello combined to allow four earned runs in 13.0 innings.
- Darryl Lee finished with a season-high six RBIs in game two.
- Maikol Lucena recorded a season-high five RBIs in game one.
- Alcorn State allowed 18 walks to B-CU hitters during the double-header, along with five balks.
- Caleb Scott picked up his first two RBIs of the season.
The Wildcats will head back to the Sunshine State for a trip to Jacksonville to face the Dolphins. The game is set for Tuesday night at 7 p.m.
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--#HailWildcats--
