Team opens the season on Feb. 13 with a series at Robinson Ballpark.
The Bethune-Cookman WIldcats celebrate during a postseason game last season. The defending SWAC champions reload in a quest to defend their title.
ROMEO T. GUZMAN/B-CU ATHLETICS
The Bethune-Cookman University Wildcats open the 2026 baseball season with a three-game series at home against Bradley at Jackie Robinson Ballpark from Friday, Feb. 13 through Sunday, Feb. 15.
The Wildcats are the defending SWAC champions. They reload by returning seven of nine position starters, two starting pitchers and several bullpen arms. B-CU has also added some pieces.
Head Coach Johnny Hernandez knows this team has a high ceiling and already likes what he sees in this team.
This is Hernandez’ seventh year lead- ing the program.
“We just have a lot of continuity with both our coaching staff and players. I think that is the biggest thing with this team,” responded Hernandez.
The Wildcats return top hitters in senior outfield Andrey Martinez (.353BA, 20HR 64RBI), who tied the school’s homerun record in 2025 and redshirt junior catcher Jorge Rodriguez (.354BA, 14HR, 46RBI) along with starting pitchers in senior Edwin Sanchez (8-1, 3.05ERA, 101SO) and graduate Tanner Boccabello (7-1, 4.52ERA, 51SO).
“Andrey tied our homerun record with the homerun that propelled us to the Regionals and Fernandez was snubbed as an all-conference player in my mind last year,” added Hernandez.
Also, back is senior outfielder Darryl Lee (.299BA, 9HR, 46RBI, 23SB); senior outfielder/first baseman Armani Newton (9HR, 23RBI); redshirt sophomore infielder Jeter Polledo (.326BA, 6HR, 48RBI); senior infielder Jesus Venegas (.285BA, 16HR, 47RBI); graduate outfielder Sergio Rivera (.317BA, 3HR, 34RBI, 36SB) and others. They also have senior pitcher Jean Carlos-Zambrano (6-2, 4.25ERA, 2SV) and senior pitcher Pablo Torres back in the bullpen.
B-CU’s Jose Fernandez is one of many capable hitters. He lines up to hit during a recent scrimmage game.
New players
The Wildcats added some players that could make them stronger in junior catcher Maikol Lucinda (Indian River State College) and senior infielder Eric Almonte (UCF).
They also bring in some arms such as junior pitcher Harbersting Abreu (Tallahassee Community College); junior pitcher Justin Morales (Tallahassee Community College); who will pitch for the Netherlands in the World Baseball Classic; junior pitcher Michael Benedict (Eastern Florida State College); and graduate pitcher Dawson Turner (St. Leo).
Continuity, talent and depth are all strong points of this team.
“It definitely is our goal with all the guys that stayed with our program. The guys have a business like mindset. They are accepting the fact that everyone is hunting us and that we have the bullseye on our back. The players are accepting that role,” said Hernandez.
Staying healthy could be the key to success.
“As long as we stay healthy, that is going to be the biggest thing. Thankfully, right now nobody is banged up. It is going to be interesting once we finally get out there and play,” stated Hernandez.
Bethune-Cookman has a storied baseball program, probably the most storied of any HBCU. The Wildcats have won 17 regular season titles, 19 conference tournament crowns and made 18 NCAA appearances. B-CU joined the SWAC in 2021 and won their first conference crown last season. The goal is of course to repeat as SWAC champions.
Hernandez emphasized, “It hasn’t been done in our program for while and it hasn’t been done in the SWAC in a while. We just have to worry about doing everything one day at a time. We can’t worry about what the conference tournament will look like and what other teams are doing. We have to worry about ourselves, get better every day and take care of the opportunities afforded to us.”