Delguidice goes 3-for-5 with two runs scored

Florida Atlantic scored five unanswered runs in the final four innings to secure an 8-4 win over Bethune-Cookman on Wednesday night at the FAU Baseball Stadium.

The Wildcats (26-18) took an early lead in the top of the first when Jeremy Davis touched up FAU starter Taylor Everist for a solo home run to put the Wildcats on top 1-0.

"I don’t think anyone in the state of Florida takes them lightly anymore. You gotta come ready to play", said John McCormack. "They've got good players and they do a good job."

Everist (2-6) was on a pitch count and only lasted three innings. The right-hander gave up three hits and one earned run with no walks and two strikeouts in the no decision.

"We were trying to keep him and Kevin to about 40-45 pitches so they can still be available for the weekend", McCormack said.

The Owls (26-15) responded in the bottom of the second with two runs off three hits to take a 2-1 lead. A Colby Gratton triple scored Nick Delguidice and tied the game at 1-1. Sean Bukovich then ripped a single to left to plate Gratton and give FAU a 2-1 lead.

The single by Bukovich gave the switch-hitter a base hit in five straight at bats dating back to Sunday’s 4-for-4 effort in the series finale win against ULM.

After Dan Scheffler’s 13th home run of the season put the Owls on top 3-2, the Wildcats came roaring back in the sixth with two runs of their own to take the lead.

With two outs and the bases empty, Ryan Durrence started the rally for Bethune with a single to right field. Peter O’Brien followed with a double down the left field line to put two runners in scoring position. The next batter, Emmanuel Castro delivered a two-run single to center to score both runners and put the Wildcats on top 4-3.

However, FAU battled back scoring the final five runs of the game.

On top in the eighth 5-4, the Owls poured three runs off Bethune closer Juan Perez to take a commanding 8-4 lead.

Hugh Adams (2-0) earned the victory after pitching a perfect frame in the seventh. Ryan Bernal and Andy Mee added scoreless innings as well, with Mee closing the game out.

"It was only four runs, against a pretty good hitting team, so we sent him (Mee) out there", said McCormack.

The Owls move to 56-15 all-time against the Wildcats with the victory.

FAU will return to action on Friday when they begin a three-game series at home against Arkansas State, who sits third in the conference standings. First pitch is set for 6:30 p.m.

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