ITTA BENA, Miss. — Bethune-Cookman combined for 28 runs Saturday as they swept the double-header with ease over Mississippi Valley State at Magnolia Field.
 

Game 1: B-CU 13, MVSU 2 (7 innings)

After a scoreless first from both teams, Bethune-Cookman (25-11, 12-3) took an early lead in the second. After a base hit from Christopher Watson, Jorge Rodriguez drilled his second home run in the last three games to give the Wildcats a 2-0 lead.

B-CU added to the lead in the third. Darryl Lee led off the frame with a walk before Michael Rodriguez hit an RBI double to make it 3-0. Jeter Polledo then hit a home run for the second-straight game to push the lead to 5-0.

Mississippi Valley State (11-21, 7-8) got a couple of runs back in the fourth. With runners at second and third following a walk and a hit batter, Kendall Brookins picked up an RBI double to make it 5-2.

The Wildcats continued to put the pressure on in the bottom of the frame. Watson was hit by a pitch to start the inning, and Sergio Rivera drove him in with a base hit. Rivera would later score on a wild pitch to put B-CU up 7-2.

Michael Rodriguez would do some more damage in the fifth, hitting a solo shot to increase the lead to 8-2. Erick Almonte then put the final nail in the coffin in the sixth, hitting a grand slam to put the game out of reach.

Edwin Sanchez was the winning pitcher for B-CU, allowing just two runs on two hits in six innings of work

Game 2: B-CU 15, MVSU 0 (7 innings)

The Wildcats dominated from start to finish in game two, scoring six runs in the first to get it started. B-CU generated three walks, a double, and single before the Delta Devils recorded an out. Maikol Lucena, Jeter Polledo, Erick Almonte, and Sergio Rivera each recorded RBI in the inning.

B-CU extended the lead to 10-0 in the second. Jeter Polledo hit his third home run of the series and Erick Almonte hit his second. Jorge Rodriguez also managed an RBI single.

Jose Fernandez would join the home run derby in the fifth, hitting a three-run bomb to make it 13-0.

Ruben Zuany came on as a pinch hitter in the seventh and hit his third home run of the season to extend the lead to 15-0.

Overall, the Wildcats finished with seven extra base hits, including four home runs, and worked 12 walks.

Tanner Boccabello picked up the win for B-CU, working five scoreless innings and recording 10 strikeouts.
 

• The Wildcats hit four home runs in both games Saturday afternoon, the highest in any single game his season.
• Erick Almonte hit a grand slam in game one, the second for B-CU this season.
• Edwin Sanchez continued his domination of SWAC opponents. He is 4-0 with a 1.33 ERA against conference teams.
• B-CU's shutout in game two was the team's third this season.
• Michael Rodriguez finished a perfect 4-for-4 on Saturday with a homer, a double, and two RBI.
• Jeter Polledo hit three home runs in the series after just one in the previous 33 games.

Bethune-Cookman faces another ranked opponent Tuesday night as they travel to Gainesville to play the Florida Gators. First pitch is set for 6:30 p.m. EST.

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--#HailWildcats--