JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (Interstat) — Julian Carrasquilla delivered a dominant relief performance and Sergio Rivera provided late insurance with a two-run homer as Bethune-Cookman defeated North Florida 7-4 in non-conference baseball Tuesday night.

The Wildcats, who pounded out 11 hits, improved to 11-6. The Ospreys fell to 8-10.

The most important sequence of the game occurred before many fans had settled into their seats. After North Florida loaded the bases with no outs in the bottom of the first inning against Wildcats starter Frank Perez, Bethune-Cookman manager summoned Carrasquilla from the bullpen. The right-hander induced an immediate inning-ending double play from Gabriel Gomez, snuffing out the Ospreys’ best early threat and setting a commanding tone.

Carrasquilla (1-0) was nearly untouchable, earning the win with 5 1/3 innings of scoreless, hitless relief. He walked three, hit a batter and struck out four, effectively silencing the North Florida lineup after its initial rally. This outing was a stark rebound from his last appearance, a loss to Miami on March 4 where he did not record an out.

Bethune-Cookman broke through in the fourth against North Florida starter Tyler Kozera (0-1). Jeter Polledo singled and scored on a Miguel Rodriguez groundout. Manny Lucean then doubled and came home on a Ramon Zuany single for a 2-0 lead.

The Wildcats extended their advantage with a three-run fifth. After Edgar Almonte walked and Alex Martinez singled, Polledo tripled to right-center, driving in both runners. Polledo then scored on a Lucean groundout to make it 5-0.

North Florida finally got to Carrasquilla in the sixth. Miles Farner walked, advanced on a wild pitch and a passed ball, and scored on Gomez’s RBI single. That ended Carrasquilla’s night after 77 pitches.

The Ospreys mounted their most serious challenge in the seventh, chasing reliever Dylan Morrissey. Carter White tripled home a run and later scored on an error. After Logan Wirt loaded the bases, Pablo Torres entered and allowed an RBI single to Gomez that cut the deficit to 5-4. Torres escaped further damage with a fielder’s choice.

Rivera answered for Bethune-Cookman in the eighth, launching a two-run homer to left field off reliever Jacob Costa to restore a three-run cushion at 7-4.

Torres and closer Frank Perez then sealed the victory. Torres threw 2 1/3 scoreless innings, and Perez recorded the final out for his first save, inducing a game-ending strikeout with two runners on.

Polledo finished 2 for 5 with two RBIs for Bethune-Cookman. Rivera went 2 for 4 with his crucial home run. For North Florida, White drove in a run and Gomez had two RBIs.

North Florida reliever Devin Diggs struck out all three batters he faced in 1 2/3 perfect innings.

Bethune-Cookman opens a three-game home series against Prairie View on Friday. North Florida begins ASUN Conference play on the road Friday at Stetson.