GAINESVILLE. Fla. — Bethune-Cookman exploded for seven runs in the seventh innings, crushing No. 7/20 Florida 12-7 at Condron Family Ballpark. The win over the Gators is the Wildcats' second-straight win over a ranked opponent. B-CU had not recorded two ranked victories in a single season since 2009 prior to tonight.
Bethune-Cookman (26-11, 12-3) came up with a big swing in the first inning, as Andrey Martinez smashed a solo home run to give the Wildcats a 1-0 lead.
Florida (27-11, 9-6) quickly tied the game in the bottom of the inning. The Gators hit three straight singles, including an RBI base hit from Cade Kurland to knot the game at one.
B-CU took advantage of struggling Gator pitching in the second, quickly loading the bases on a walk and two hit batters. Darryl Lee then picked up an RBI base hit followed by a two RBI double by Andrey Martinez to put the Wildcats ahead 3-1.
Florida picked up another run in the bottom of the frame. After an error allowed a runner to advance to third, Kyle Jones drove him in on a sac fly to cut the deficit to one.
After a scoreless third, the Wildcats went up by two runs again in the fourth. Jose Fernandez led off the inning with a home run to make it 4-2.
B-CU started the fifth with a base hit and a walk. Jeter Polledo then picked up the RBI on another sacrifice fly to extend the lead to three.
The Gators threatened in the bottom of the fifth, getting runners to the corners with two outs. But Erick Almonte made an outstanding diving play and flipped to second for the force to end the rally.
In the sixth, Florida would tie the game at five. After a walk and a hit by pitch, the Gators received RBI hits from Kurland and Blake Cyr.
The Wildcats blew the game open in the seventh. An outstanding sacrifice bunt by Almonte forced an errant throw from the Florida pitcher, scoring one run. Jorge Rodrigez then came up big with a two RBI single to make it 8-5. Darryl Lee followed it up with an RBI single and Andrey Martinez snuck a double down the left field line to score two more. Michael Rodriguez capped off the dominant frame with another RBI base hit to increase the lead to 12-5.
UF would attempt to rally in the seventh. After two walks, Kyle Jones drove in a run on a sac fly, followed by an RBI double by Brandon Lawson to make it 12-7.
The Cats would get the run back in the top of the ninth. Lee came through with a solo shot for his third RBI of the night to extend the lead back to six.
Justin Morales would take it from there. He shut down the Gators' offense in the ninth to close out another big-time win for B-CU.
- Tuesday night's victory was B-CU's second victory over Florida since 2000.
- The Wildcats never trailed in the ballgame.
- Andrey Martinez put together a dominant performance in the win, going 3-for-6 with two doubles, a homer, and four RBI.
- Darryl Lee also finished 3-for-6, hitting a home run and driving in three.
- Every hitter in B-CU's lineup recorded at least one hit.
- Anthony Anselmo pitched 3.2 innings and picked up his second win of the season.
B-CU welcomes Alabama A&M to Daytona Beach for a three-game series to be held at Sliwa Stadium. First pitch is slated for Friday at 7 p.m. EST.
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--#HailWildcats--
