NORFOLK, Va. - The Bethune-Cookman Wildcats (25-31) battled back from an early deficit versus Savannah State (22-30) in the semi-final round of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) baseball championships, igniting the bats in the fourth to spark a 16-6 run rule victory over the Tigers.

Using a season-best scoring total and matching the season high in hitting, the Wildcats were able to earn some vindication after falling to the Tigers in the 2013 MEAC Championship final, 1-0, in the 10th inning, advancing to the championship game for the ninth consecutive season.

The Wildcats were the first to reach the board in Sunday’s semi-final, as Bryant Munoz scored on second baseman Matt Noble’s sacrifice fly for the first inning 1-0 advantage.

However, the Tigers went to work early as well, using four consecutive hits in the second to take the lead on Zachary Brigham’s two-run double to left field, finishing the frame with a 3-1 advantage after a Lee Moore sacrifice fly.

After the early scoring cooled in the third, the game looked as though it could turn into a pitcher’s duel, but the fourth inning changed everything, as third baseman Jordan Robinson set the Wildcats off on a seven consecutive hit run, pushing B-CU well into the lead as 13 Wildcats batted through, en route to a 10 hit, nine run inning, going on top 10-3.

The Tigers stayed in the fight, as Moore scored on a single to the outfield in the fifth and Tre Sikes added a two-run homer to trim the Wildcats lead to four runs.

The Wildcats kept the pressure on, responding with a pair of runs in the bottom half, as Shaun McCarty scored on a Josh Johnson RBI single and Zach Olszewski scored from third during a double play. However, the final push for the win came in the sixth. Robinson put in the first run, scoring as McCarty reached on an error. Olszewski followed with an RBI single through the right side, McCarty scored on Johnson’s sac fly, and Olszewski crossed the plate for the double-digit lead on a Munoz RBI, pushing the Wildcats ahead 16-6.

After entering in relief for starter Montana Durapau in the sixth, Scott Garner lifted the Wildcats with a one-hit outing to secure the run-rule victory, with the final out coming on a highlight-reel snagging of a lined foul ball by Robinson at the left side fence.

Despite his toughest outing in 26 appearances, Durapau (11-1) earned the victory and ties Helpiz Moises (2002) for most wins in a season, falling just one third of an inning behind Francisco Rodriguez for season innings pitched.

All nine batters logged a hit for B-CU, six finished with multiple hits and six recorded multiple RBI, led by the freshman catcher, Olszewski, who went 4-for-4 with two RBI and two runs scored.  Johnson and Munoz each went 2-for-4 with a team-leading three RBI apiece.

The Wildcats advance to Monday’s (May 19) Championship Final as the lone unbeaten team in the tournament, and will face the winner of Sunday’s elimination game between Norfolk State and Savannah State at 11 a.m. at Marty L. Miller Field.