By ANDREAS BUTLER | DAYTONA TIMES
(Source: Daytona Times)
Team flashes potential; seeks first SWAC title
The Bethune-Cookman University Wildcats’ baseball team is showing flashes of potential.
The Wildcats are 10-11 overall and 3-0 in the SWAC.
“We picked up some wins to start conference play. Conference games matter no matter the opponent. These games give us a chance to get seeded down the road in the tournament. I am pleased with some of the guys that have done. We’re looking forward to a great season,” said Johnny Hernandez, Bethune-Cookman’s head baseball coach.
The 2025 Wildcats can be described in one word.
Hernandez reflected “Competitive. We must go out and compete. We want to compete each and every day.”
Bethune-Cookman has a storied program even for a Historically Black College and University (HBCU).
The Wildcats were picked to finish second in the SWAC in preseason polls.
They have a true ace in senior pitch- er Tanner Boccabello (4-0. 3.86ERA).
“I feel good about my role. My confidence is building up. I just go out there and try to set the tone for each series and do everything I can to try to help us win each and every day,” responded Boccabello.
Other key players
Sophomore Joel Core and Junior Edwin Sanchez (3-0, 3.10ERA) are the other starters.
Junior outfielder Armani Newton (4HR, 9RBI, 16R), a Florida Gulf Coast transfer, has been a standout and leads the team in homeruns.
They also have rising sophomores in infielder Jorge Gonzalez-Febo and outfielder Michael Rodriguez (1HR, 10 RBI, 18 H, 16 R).
Hernandez added, “Febo played a lot as a freshman last year. We look for him to get better. Mikey is another sophomore who played sparingly last year. He had a good summer,” Junior outfielder Darryl Lee (.377 BA, 3 HR, 18 RBI) is another transfer making noise.
There is also junior infielder Jesus Venegas (.313 BA, 4 HR, 10 RBI), senior infielder Manny Souffrain (.327 BA, 2 HR, 14 RBI) and senior catcher, Irvin Escobar, is back.
“I feel like I have earned this. I’ve been here four years. I don’t mind being counted on as a leader. It has found its way to me,” said Souffrain.
Gonzalez-Febo and Rodriguez are rising pro prospects, Newton, Lee and senior catcher Jorge Rodriguez (.469BA, 2HR, 16RBI) are also getting pro looks.
The Wildcats have flame throwers in graduate pitcher Yonzell Diaz (94 mph) and junior pitcher Angel Lopez (93 mph) in the bullpen.
Junior pitcher Jean Carlos Zambrano (2-1, 1.93 ERA, 2SV) is also in the pen.
They expect to have their closer, junior pitcher Pablo Torres, back from injury soon.
“These guys want to compete day in and day out,” noted Hernandez.
Situational hitting concerns
B-CU has its strengths and areas that need improvement, like all teams.
“I think the pitching and defense is strongest. We are ranked in the tops statistically in those categories. I think the area that we have to get better at is situational hitting. Can we turn those opportunities into runs for us?” expressed Hernandez.
The Wildcats have had some success and challenges.
“We have a really good pitching staff. We had five pitchers out with injury early this year. Now those guys are coming back so we are getting some depth there,” commented Hernandez.
“Our situational hitting has to get better. We have some opportunity on offense. We have left too many guys on. The offense has to come through.
We’ll work on that the course of the year. We definitely have to get better as the sea- son progresses.”
Hernandez has been around baseball his entire life but knows this team has its own uniqueness.
He reflected, “I think it’s an older group and a group that is a lot more physical. Last year, we hit 14 homeruns prior to the conference tournament; this year we already have more than 20. The physicality of the offense is something that we wanted to address. We have focused on having a stronger team physically during my tenure here.”
The goal: SWAC tournament
The players are also enjoying the moment.
“Who wouldn’t want to be in an en- vironment like this? We’ve got the best coaches. This team rallies for each other’ it’s not individual. You want the guy next to you to do as good as you. You can’t find that in a college setting,” expressed Boccabello.
Souffrain added, “I feel good about this team. I think we’re where we need to be. We can improve, but I feel good about this team.”
The goal is to win the SWAC tournament, which takes place in Birmingham, Alabama from May 21-25 and earn a trip to the NCAA tournament.
“As long as everyone stays healthy, we pitch the way that we’re capable and if the offense clicks, we’ll be fine. We have had flashes on offense throughout the year, but if we stay consistent, we can represent Bethune-Cookman in the NCAA Regionals,” Hernandez added.
