Bethune-Cookman will play against North Florida at Harmon Stadium in Jacksonville on March 10, following a dramatic comeback victory over Florida Gulf Coast University. The Wildcats are set to take the field at 6 p.m. Tuesday night.
The upcoming game is significant as Bethune-Cookman looks to build on their recent momentum. The Wildcats overcame an early eight-run deficit against FGCU, with key performances from Jose Fernandez, who hit a grand slam, and relievers Anthony Anselmo and Andris Borroso, who combined for seven shutout innings. Michael Rodriguez delivered the game-winning hit in the ninth inning.
North Florida enters the matchup with an 8-9 record and is currently experiencing a four-game losing streak. The Ospreys were recently swept by No. 17 Alabama but have secured series wins over Presbyterian, Quinnipiac, and Sacred Heart this season. Offensively, North Florida is batting .270 as a team and averages 7.4 runs per game, led by junior Matthew Farner with a .339 average, six home runs, and 17 runs batted in.
On the pitching side, North Florida’s staff has posted a 5.91 earned run average while allowing opponents to bat .258. The team has used eight different starting pitchers so far this year. Defensively, they hold a .957 fielding percentage with 26 errors committed.
Bethune-Cookman allowed 32 runs to FGCU in their recent three-game series after giving up only 59 runs across their previous thirteen games. The Wildcats showed increased power at the plate by hitting three home runs on Sunday—nearly matching their total of five homers from the first thirteen games of the season. Jeter Polledo tied a school record for triples in a single game during the weekend.
Historically, North Florida leads the all-time series against Bethune-Cookman 19-12; however, Bethune-Cookman has won three of the last four meetings between these teams.
