DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Interstat) — Edwin Sanchez continued his dominant start to the season with five scoreless innings, and the Bethune-Cookman offense erupted for 13 hits in a 15-0 rout of Delaware State in the first game of a doubleheader on Saturday.

Sanchez, the Wildcats’ ace, overpowered Hornets hitters from the outset, striking out nine while allowing just two hits and no walks. The right-hander extended his scoreless innings streak to 13 and lowered his ERA to 0.56, building on a near-perfect eight-inning outing against Florida A&M the previous weekend. His command set the tone, as Delaware State managed only four hits total and never advanced a runner past second base.

The Wildcats provided all the offense Sanchez would need in a sloppy first inning for Delaware State. Leadoff hitter E. Almonte reached on a throwing error by the pitcher and scored on Darryl Lee’s RBI double down the right-field line. M. Lucena followed with an RBI single to plate Lee, with both runs unearned, giving Bethune-Cookman a 2-0 lead.

Bethune-Cookman added a run in the third on an RBI single by Jorge Rodriguez, but the game was broken open in a chaotic fourth inning. The Wildcats sent 13 batters to the plate, scoring seven runs on five hits, three walks, two wild pitches, a passed ball and a hit batter. The inning featured aggressive baserunning with four stolen bases. Christopher Watson delivered the biggest blow, a two-run single through the left side, and J. Polledo added an RBI double. Two runs scored on a passed ball and a wild pitch, highlighting Delaware State’s defensive struggles.

The Wildcats’ offense, which finished with 13 hits, was relentless. Lee led the charge, going a perfect 3 for 3 with a double, a triple, two RBIs and three runs scored. Watson drove in three runs, while Jose Fernandez scored three times and went 2 for 3 with a double. Every Bethune-Cookman starter reached base at least once.

Delaware State’s offensive woes continued. The Hornets, now 0-9, stranded their few opportunities and struck out 13 times against three Wildcats pitchers. Reliever Julian Carrasquilla followed Sanchez with two scoreless innings, fanning four. Rosnell Lewis had two of Delaware State’s four hits, including a double.

The most decisive phase of the game was undoubtedly the bottom of the fourth inning. Already leading 3-0, Bethune-Cookman transformed a comfortable advantage into an insurmountable lead. The seven-run outburst, fueled by a combination of timely hitting, relentless pressure on the bases and Delaware State miscues, effectively ended the contest early.

Bethune-Cookman improved to 7-3 with the victory. The teams were scheduled to conclude the doubleheader later Saturday.