MADISON, Ala. - Alabama A&M (5-23, 3-11 SWAC) dropped a 6-2 decision against Bethune-Cookman (15-19, 9-5 SWAC) in an NCAA Division I baseball game on Friday, April 15.
 
The Bulldogs would waste no time getting on the scoreboard in the first inning as sophomore designated hitter Janmikell Bastardo (Fort Myers, Fla.) singled to left field and brought home graduate right fielder Tim Dixon (Debary, Fla.) to take a 1-0 lead.
 
Pitching would rule until B-CU finally answered in the top of the third inning as Malik Stephens homered to left center to even the game, 1-1. The score would remain that way until the top of the seventh inning as the Bulldogs answered loudly with junior second baseman Tommy Easley (Acworth, Ga.) homering to left center to once again take the advantage to 2-1.
 
No team would affect the score until the Wildcats unleashed a barrage of runs as Brian Perez firstly doubled down the left field line to allow Irvin Escobar to score before Perez and Gaylen Rutledge added a run each. Mathew Garcia singled a two RBI to left center that brought home Colton Olasin and Franki Febles to close out the 6-2 decision.
 
Stephens led B-CU with a 1-of-4 day, one homerun, an RBI and a run scored while Garcia was 2-of-5 with two RBIs.  Rutledge went 2-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored to round out the top offensive performers. Nolan Santos threw eight innings, struck out 11 and allowed two earned runs to move to 3-3.
 
Easley led the Bulldogs with a 1-of-4 day, a home run, an RBI and a run scored and Bastardo was 2-for-3 with an RBI. Junior pitcher Jose Figueroa (Toa Alta, Puerto Rico.) threw eighth innings, struck out seven and only allowed three earned runs to suffer the loss to fall to 2-4.
 
The Bulldogs are back in action tomorrow, Saturday, April 16 as they wrap up the three-game series against Bethune-Cookman. First pitch is scheduled for 10 a.m.at James Clemens High School located at 11306 County Line Road, Madison, Alabama.