DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — The Wildcats powered past Alabama A&M 15-5 in seven innings at Sliwa Stadium. The victory marks Head Coach Jonathan Hernandez's 180th career win at Bethune-Cookman, moving him into second place on the program's all-time wins list.
Bethune-Cookman (28-11, 14-3) quickly took control of the game in the first inning, scoring six runs on three hits. Maikol Lucena got it started with an RBI single before Jeter Polledo cranked a three-run homer over hte left field fence to make it 4-0. Jose Fernandez then came up with an RBI double and Christopher Watson drove in a run on a sac fly to create a six-run cushion.
Alabama A&M (8-33, 2-15) put up a big inning in the second to make it a one-run game. Tervell Johnson managed an RBI on a base hit to make it 6-1. Miles Johnson then hit a bases-clearing double to get within two. He would later score on a wild pitch for the team's fifth run.
B-CU would extend the lead back to four in the bottom of the inning. Lucena collected his second RBI on a sac fly and Jorge Rodriguez hit a double that drove in two runs to put the Cats up 9-5.
The Wildcats would continue to produce offensively the rest of the night. Darryl Lee led off the fourth with a solo shot to make it 10-5. Lucena came through again in the fifth with an RBI ground out to extend the lead to six. B-CU would then finish off the win in the sixth inning. Jose Fernandez hit a two-run homer and Michael Rodriguez drove in two on a single to give the Cats ten-run advantage.
Tanner Boccabello recorded his fifth win of the season, pitching 6.0 innings and allowing five runs.
The series finale against the Bulldogs begins tomorrow at 1 p.m. EST.
Follow Bethune-Cookman Baseball on Twitter/X and Instagram (@BCUDiamondCats) and for all of the latest news and updates. For all Bethune-Cookman Athletics news, follow us on Twitter (@BCUathletics), Instagram (@BCUathletics) and www.bcuathletics.com.
--#HailWildcats--
