BETHUNE-COOKMAN, Fla. — Bethune-Cookman scored five runs in the sixth inning and added three more in the seventh to beat Alcorn State 11-1 in the first game of a three-game SWAC series Friday night at Willie E. “Rat” McGowan Stadium.
The Wildcats jumped ahead early, scoring in the first inning after Darryl Lee reached on a walk and came home on a passed ball. Christopher Watson later singled and scored in the second inning, and an error in the third allowed Ruben Zuany to reach and Martinez to score, giving BCU a 3-0 lead through five innings.
Alcorn State scored its only run in the fifth inning, with Rayfield Adams III singling, stealing two bases, and Julian Jarrett driving in Adams with an RBI single. However, Bethune-Cookman responded with a big sixth inning, highlighted by a balk and a passed ball that pushed the Wildcats’ lead to 5-1.
The Wildcats extended their lead further in the seventh, capitalizing on walks, stolen bases, and errors. Jacob Estrada and Maikol Lucena contributed two-run singles, and a series of walks and wild pitches finished the scoring at 11-1.
Bethune-Cookman pitcher Harbersting Abreu earned his second win of the season, tossing five innings of one-run ball. Justin Morales pitched the final two innings, allowing no hits. Alcorn’s Devin Kriley took the loss, his fifth of the season, despite a strong five-inning performance with eight strikeouts.
Watson led Bethune-Cookman offensively, reaching base three times, scoring twice, and stealing three bases. Lee scored twice and drew three walks for Alcorn State, which left 11 men on base and went 1-for-9 with runners in scoring position. The series continues Saturday with a doubleheader at McGowan Stadium, starting at 1 p.m.
