Bethune-Cookman University’s baseball team secured a four-game sweep over Delaware State University with two decisive wins on Sunday at Jackie Robinson Ballpark in Daytona Beach. The Wildcats defeated the Hornets 14-8 in the first game and followed up with a 14-0 shutout in the second, improving their season record to 9-3 while Delaware State fell to 0-11.
In the opening game, Bethune-Cookman overcame an early deficit by scoring in five straight innings from the second through sixth. Delaware State took a quick lead, but Bethune-Cookman responded with key hits, including a two-run single by Erick Almonte and an RBI double from Jorge Rodriguez. The Wildcats broke open the game with four runs in the fifth inning and five more in the sixth. Almonte led offensively, going 2-for-4 with four RBIs and a run scored. Andris Barroso earned the win in relief.
Delaware State managed 14 hits but left 12 runners on base. Rosnell Lewis contributed four hits for the Hornets, while Jaryn Sample hit a solo home run late in the game.
The second contest saw Bethune-Cookman’s pitching staff limit Delaware State to just two hits for a combined shutout. After two scoreless innings, Bethune-Cookman built momentum with runs across four consecutive frames starting in the third inning. Jorge Rodriguez went 3-for-4 with three RBIs and two runs scored; Darryl Lee also finished 3-for-4 with three runs scored. Michael Benedict picked up his first win of the season after pitching four scoreless innings.
Over both games Sunday, Jorge Rodriguez was instrumental for Bethune-Cookman’s offense, finishing 5-for-7 at bat with two doubles and five RBIs overall. Darryl Lee went a combined 5-for-8 on Sunday as well.
Across all four games of the series against Delaware State, Bethune-Cookman scored a total of 57 runs while holding their opponent to limited offensive production.
The Wildcats are scheduled to play their first road game of the season against Miami Hurricanes on Wednesday night at 6 p.m.
