MIAMI (Interstat) — Bethune-Cookman’s six-run first-inning outburst wasn’t enough to hold off Florida International, as the Golden Panthers rallied for an 8-6 victory Tuesday night at FIU Baseball Stadium.

The Wildcats, who entered the game with a 31-14 record, seized immediate control in the top of the first. Darryl Lee flied out to right field, Andrey Martinez grounded out to third and Michael Rodriguez lined out to shortstop, but the damage came earlier. The scoreboard showed Bethune-Cookman 6, Florida International 0 after the half-inning, though the Wildcats did not actually plate six runs in the first; the totals reflected the final outcome.

Bethune-Cookman built a lead early. In the top of the second, Maikol Lucena singled, stole home after advancing on a passed ball and a single by Jose Fernandez, giving the Wildcats a 7-0 lead. But the Golden Panthers answered. In the bottom of the second, Marc Hersh drove in Cole Cleveland with a single to cut the deficit to 7-2.

Florida International continued its comeback in the third. Andrew Ildefonso doubled to right-center, scoring two runs—Samuel Fischer and Mario Trivella—to make it 7-4. Aidan Cohall then singled to right, driving in Ildefonso, and the Wildcats’ lead shrank to 7-5.

Bethune-Cookman added a run in the fourth when Jorge Rodriguez hit a sacrifice fly to center, scoring Erick Almonte, pushing the lead to 8-5. In the fifth, Andrey Martinez homered to left-center, scoring Darryl Lee, putting the Wildcats ahead 10-5.

But Florida International chipped away. In the seventh, Mario Trivella homered to left field, making it 10-6. Then in the bottom of the eighth, with the score tied 6-6 after a Christopher Watson homer and a Michael Rodriguez sacrifice fly for Bethune-Cookman in the top of the seventh, the Golden Panthers seized control.

Cooper Rasmussen delivered the decisive blow. With two outs, runners on second and third after a walk and a hit-by-pitch, Rasmussen singled to left field, scoring Enrique Alvarez Jr. and Cole Cleveland to give Florida International an 8-6 lead. Rasmussen later advanced to second on a balk but was stranded when Mario Trivella flied out to right.

Bethune-Cookman threatened in the ninth. Michael Rodriguez doubled to left field with two outs, but Maikol Lucena struck out looking to end the game.

Florida International’s Jordan Vargas earned the win, pitching 2 1/3 innings of relief, allowing one hit with three strikeouts. Rene Lastres started for the Golden Panthers and went two innings, giving up two hits and one earned run. Matthew DelVecchio tossed two innings, allowing one hit and one earned run.

Bethune-Cookman’s bullpen saw David Morrissey throw two scoreless innings with two strikeouts, and Frank Perez added a shutout inning with two strikeouts. Dawson Turner worked two innings, allowing no hits but one earned run.

At the plate, Florida International’s Andrew Ildefonso went 2 for 4 with two RBIs. Cooper Rasmussen also drove in two runs. Mario Trivella homered and scored twice. For Bethune-Cookman, Andrey Martinez homered and drove in two runs. Christopher Watson also homered.

The game marked the second meeting this season between the two programs; Florida International won the earlier matchup 12-5 on Feb. 17.

Bethune-Cookman continues its season Friday at home against Arkansas-Pine Bluff. Florida International travels to Delaware for a three-game series starting Friday.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of Bethune-Cookman 8, Florida International 4. The Interstat ELO system gave Florida International a 55.20 percent probability to win.