Box Score
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla.- Bethune-Cookman clinched its second consecutive SWAC Regular Season Baseball Championship and secured the No. 1 seed in the conference tournament with a 12-1 win over Grambling on Saturday at Jackie Robinson Ballpark.
The Wildcats finished the regular season with a 37-18 overall record and a 23-7 mark in conference play, completing the year undefeated in SWAC series competition (10-0) while setting a new program record for wins in a season.
Bethune-Cookman took control early, scoring nine runs in the first inning. Darryl Lee sparked the rally with a leadoff double before the Wildcats capitalized on timely hitting and walks to build a commanding lead.
Erick Almonte delivered a two-run single, while Lee later added a two-run triple as Bethune-Cookman carried a 9-0 advantage into the second inning.
The Wildcats added another run in the second inning on an RBI single by Lee before Grambling scored its lone run in the fourth on an RBI single from Shannon Martin. Bethune-Cookman answered with single runs in the fourth and fifth innings to close out the 12-1 victory.
Tanner Boccabello earned the win after allowing one run over four innings while improving to 6-0 on the season. Anthony Anselmo, Bryon Rincones, Justin Morales, and Pablo Torres combined for three scoreless innings in relief.
Lee finished 3-for-4 in his final home game, falling a home run shy of the cycle while recording a double, triple, three RBI, and a walk. Jose Fernandez, Erick Almonte, and Sergio Rivera each drove in two runs, while Michael Rodriguez extended his on-base streak to 33 consecutive games.
Bethune-Cookman will open SWAC Tournament play Wednesday in Birmingham against Arkansas-Pine Bluff.
About the SWAC
The Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) is considered one of the premier HBCU conferences in the country and currently ranks among the elite in the nation in terms of HBCU alumni playing with professional sports teams.
Current championship competition offered by the league includes competition for men in Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Football, Golf, Indoor Track and Field, Outdoor Track and Field and Tennis.
Women’s competition is offered in the sports of Basketball, Bowling, Cross Country, Golf, Indoor Track and Field, Outdoor Track and Field, Soccer, Softball, Tennis and Volleyball.
Follow the SWAC
For complete coverage of the Southwestern Athletic Conference, please follow the SWAC on social media at @TheSWAC (Twitter), @TheSWAC (Facebook), and @TheSWAC (Instagram) or visit the official home of the Southwestern Athletic Conference at www.swac.org.