A Nine‑Run Onslaught
Bethune‑Cookman’s baseball squad capped a historic week with a 12‑1 drubbing of Grambling State, a victory that secured the program’s second straight SWAC regular‑season championship.
The Wildcats erupted for nine runs in the opening frame, turning a modest 1‑0 lead into a 9‑0 cushion before the first out was recorded.
Darryl Lee sparked the rally with a leadoff double, and Maikol Lucena was hit by a pitch to force in the first run. Jose Fernandez followed with an RBI fielder’s choice, and Erick Almonte lined a two‑run single to right field, extending the lead to 4‑0. Sergio Rivera’s fielder’s choice produced another run, and Lee later added a two‑run triple that sent the crowd into a frenzy.
The onslaught didn’t stop there; Martinez scored on a wild pitch, Fernandez capped the inning with an RBI single, and the Wildcats added a run in the second when Rivera singled and later scored on an RBI base hit from Lee.
Birmingham Beckons
With the top seed locked, Bethune‑Cookman will travel to Birmingham for the SWAC Tournament, where their first opponent will be Arkansas‑Pine Bluff on Wednesday evening.
The Wildcats enter the tournament riding a 37‑win stretch and an unblemished 10‑0 record in conference series, a testament to the consistency of players such as Darryl Lee, who finished just a home run short of the cycle, and Jose Fernandez, who drove in multiple runs throughout the season.
Relief pitchers Anthony Anselmo, Bryon Rincones, Justin Morales and Pablo Torres shut down opposing offenses, while Tanner Boccabello’s 6‑0 record highlighted a dominant pitching staff.
The team’s journey from Daytona Beach to Birmingham underscores a season defined by relentless offense, disciplined pitching, and a collective belief that the championship pedigree will carry them forward.