The SWAC Tournament delivered a thriller on Saturday night as Bethune‑Cookman edged out Grambling State 7‑6 in a back‑and‑forth contest that kept fans on the edge of their seats.
A Late Surge Falls Short
Bethune‑Cookman struck first in the second inning when Jose Fernandez launched a solo home run that knotted the game at 1‑1, setting the tone for a tightly contested matchup.
The Wildcats answered with a burst of power in the third, as Erick Almonte’s grand slam cleared the bases and put Bethune‑Cookman ahead 6‑1, a lead that seemed insurmountable for a moment.
Grambling refused to go quietly. The Tigers rallied in the eighth inning, plating four runs to narrow the gap to 7‑6, sparking hopes of a comeback among the crowd.
Clutch Pitching Secures the Win
Veteran right‑hander Harbersting Abreu turned in a solid start, surrendering just two runs over seven innings while striking out several key batters.
Reliever Pablo Torres closed out the game with two scoreless frames, earning his fifth save of the season and preserving the narrow margin.
Both teams finished with eight hits apiece, underscoring the even‑matched nature of the contest and leaving the tournament wide open for the next round.