Bethune-Cookman Wins First SWAC Baseball Title

Bethune-Cookman secured its first SWAC baseball championship and NCAA Tournament appearance since 2011 with an 11-9 walk-off win over Florida A&M, highlighted by Co-Hitter of the Year Andrey Martinez's dramatic three-run home run in the ninth inning. The Wildcats, who joined the SWAC in 2021, overcame a 9-6 deficit in the final innings at historic Rickwood Field in Birmingham, Alabama. Martinez was pivotal throughout the tournament, and both athletic director Reggie Theus and coach Johnathan Hernandez praised the team's unity and academic achievements. Bethune-Cookman reached the finals by defeating Alabama State with an extra-inning walk-off. This victory marks a reversal from their 2023 loss to FAMU in the SWAC finals and secures their NCAA Tournament berth as the conference's automatic qualifier. The Wildcats’ success is credited to strong leadership, a championship culture, and key performances under pressure.