Bethune‑Cookman University is set to host Grambling State Tigers in a crucial three‑game series that could decide the SWAC regular‑season champion. The showdown, scheduled to begin Thursday at 7 p.m. EST, will be played on the Wildcats’ home field in Daytona Beach, Florida, before a Senior Day celebration on Saturday evening.
A pivotal weekend for the Wildcats
The Wildcats opened the scoring in the second inning when Jeter Polledo delivered a sacrifice fly, driving in the first run. Andrey Martinez followed with a solo home run in the third, extending the lead to 2‑0 before Alabama State answered with a two‑run single in the bottom of the same frame.
Momentum swung back and forth as the game progressed. Martinez and Miguel Oropeza each added solo homers in the fourth and fifth innings, while Erick Almonte’s RBI single in the sixth put Bethune‑Cookman ahead again. The Hornets then erupted with back‑to‑back solo shots in the seventh, only for Alabama State to reply with a three‑run blast by Devin Chandler in the bottom of the sixth that tied the contest at 14‑8.
Despite a ninth‑inning rally that narrowed the gap to 14‑11, the Wildcats could not complete the comeback. The final score left Bethune‑Cookman with a 6‑1 record against Grambling and a seven‑game winning streak that dates back to 2022.
Beyond the single game, the series carries broader implications. Grambling sits tied for fourth in the SWAC with a 17‑10 conference mark, boasting a potent offense that leads the league in walks and ranks third in on‑base percentage. Key contributors such as freshman Charles Ashe III and senior Cameron Hill have powered the Tigers with home runs and RBI, while pitcher Edwin Sanchez prepares for his final regular‑season start, aiming to remain undefeated against SWAC opponents.
For Bethune‑Cookman, the weekend offers a chance to cement its place in conference history. Senior standout Maikol Lucena is on a 17‑game hitting streak and is poised to reach 30 career stolen bases, while Jeter Polledo leads the club with 51 RBI. The Wildcats’ pitching staff, however, continues to rank near the bottom of the league in ERA, making Sanchez’s upcoming outing a focal point for fans.