DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Interstat) — Bethune-Cookman scored eight runs in the first inning and never looked back, routing Grambling 12-1 on Saturday afternoon in a Southwestern Athletic Conference matchup at Jackie Robinson Ballpark.

The Wildcats improved to 37-18 overall, while the Tigers fell to 22-28.

Bethune-Cookman sent 13 batters to the plate in the bottom of the first inning, collecting five hits and capitalizing on two hit-by-pitches, a walk and a defensive error. Left fielder Darryl Lee ignited the outburst with a leadoff double, then scored the tying run on a hit-by-pitch by Maikol Lucena. After a fielder’s choice put the Wildcats ahead 2-0, shortstop Erick Almonte delivered a two-run single to make it 4-0. Lee capped the inning with a two-run triple, and by the time Grambling finally recorded an out, Bethune-Cookman led 8-0. The Wildcats tacked on another run in the first on a wild pitch that allowed Lee to score, making it 9-0.

Grambling’s only run came in the top of the fourth inning. With one out, second baseman Cameron Hill singled up the middle and advanced to second on a walk by Hasani Johnson. After Johnson was picked off first base, center fielder Charles Ashe III flied out to center, moving Hill to third. Shortstop Shannon Martin then singled up the middle to drive in Hill, cutting the deficit to 10-1.

Bethune-Cookman answered in the bottom of the fourth. Right fielder Chris Watson walked, stole second and advanced to third on a wild pitch. After a strikeout, Lee walked and stole second while Watson stole third. Second baseman Andrey Martin grounded out to second, allowing Watson to score and making it 11-1. The Wildcats added their final run in the fifth inning when catcher Maikol Lucena walked, moved to second on a single by Almonte, and scored on a bases-loaded walk by third baseman Sergio Rivera.

Lee finished the game 3 for 4 with three RBIs, a double, a triple, two runs scored and a stolen base. Almonte went 2 for 3 with two RBIs and a stolen base. For Grambling, Martin had two of the Tigers’ five hits and drove in the lone run.

Bethune-Cookman starting pitcher Tanner Boccabello earned the win, tossing four innings and allowing one earned run on five hits while striking out two. He was supported by a bullpen that combined for three innings of scoreless relief, including Anthony Anselmo, who struck out three in a perfect fifth inning, and Bryon Rincones, who worked a clean sixth. Nick Robinson pitched 1 1/3 scoreless innings for Grambling, and Hampton Phillips tossed two innings of one-run ball, though the run was unearned.

The game was the second of a three-game series between the SWAC rivals. In the previous contest Friday, Grambling won 7-2. On Thursday, Bethune-Cookman won 23-1.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of Grambling 7, Bethune-Cookman 8, while the Interstat ELO system gave Bethune-Cookman a 72.30 percent probability to win.