DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Interstat) — A seven-run fourth inning, powered by a three-run homer from Vinnie Feliciano and punctuated by a parade of walks and wild pitches, propelled Florida International to a 12-5 victory over Bethune-Cookman in non-conference baseball Tuesday at Jackie Robinson Ballpark.

The Golden Panthers (3-1) sent 13 batters to the plate in the decisive frame, erasing an early four-run deficit and chasing Wildcats starter M. Benedict. Feliciano’s blast to right field off reliever D. Turner with one out tied the game. Florida International then patiently drew three consecutive walks to reload the bases, forcing another pitching change.

Aidan Cohall greeted new pitcher D. Morrissey with a two-run double to left-center, giving the Golden Panthers their first lead at 6-4. The inning continued to unravel for Bethune-Cookman (2-2) as Cohall later scored on a wild pitch, and another wild pitch allowed Luca Reyes to cross the plate. When the marathon inning finally ended, Florida International had turned a 4-0 hole into an 8-4 advantage without making an out in the air after Feliciano’s homer until the final out.

The Wildcats had struck first, batting around in a four-run bottom of the first. D. Lee’s RBI double and J. Polledo’s sacrifice fly were followed by a two-run single up the middle from M. Lucena. That early outburst proved insufficient as the Golden Panthers’ bullpen settled in after the first.

Feliciano was the offensive catalyst for Florida International, finishing with two home runs and four RBIs. His second solo shot came in the eighth inning. Cohall added two doubles and two RBIs, while Reyes scored three times, reaching base four times via two hits and two hit-by-pitches.

Florida International capitalized on opportunities throughout, scoring on three sacrifice flies and two wild pitches. The Golden Panthers managed nine hits but were aided by 10 walks and four hit batters. Bethune-Cookman out-hit Florida International 10-9, with Lee collecting two doubles and an RBI, but the Wildcats left 11 runners on base and could not recover from the Golden Panthers’ big inning.

E. Sierra earned the win in relief for Florida International after entering in the fourth inning. Benedict took the loss for Bethune-Cookman. The Golden Panthers’ season continues with a four-game home series against Holy Cross starting Friday. Bethune-Cookman hosts Yale in a three-game series beginning Friday.