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The Bethune-Cookman baseball team booked its ticket to the NCAA Tournament in dramatic fashion against SWAC rival Florida A&M. The Wildcats won in walk-off fashion with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning.
Rather than show up his opponent while trotting around the basepath, outfielder Andrey Martinez respectfully circled the bases before celebrating the moment with teammates. It offered a stark contrast to an explosive scene witnessed at a school located nearby.
The SWAC baseball tournament was played in Birmingham, Alabama this past week as teams competed for a spot in the postseason. Bethune-Cookman battled Florida A&M with both squads reaching the championship game.
Fireworks would be seen in the final frame with the Wildcats providing a game-winning blast. Trailing 9-8 in the bottom of the ninth, the home team was down to its last out with the season on the line. Andrey Martinez stepped up to the dish with two runners on. He’d send everyone home with a 400+ foot shot over the centerfield wall.
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Martinez knew he got all of it after unloading on the pitch. He was overcome with emotion as he made his way towards home plate. In the same situation, many might take the opportunity to gloat. Martinez did not.
There was no bat flip. No words exchanged upon rounding the bases. He simply tucked his head and proceeded to the route without drama. It was much different than what was seen in a recent SoCon baseball tournament matchup.
Bethune-Cookman baseball’s classy display of sportsmanship is going viral.
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The Wildcats celebrated as a team rather than showing up their opponent. The Samford Bulldogs, whose campus is located right down the road from the SWAC Tournament in Birmingham, did not do the same.
During a recent conference tournament matchup against Mercer, slugger Michael Gupton smacked a no-doubt homer to dead centerfield. He made sure every player on the opposing team knew about it after the fact.
Gupton animatedly circled the bases before yelling something in the direction of the Mercer dugout. It led to an explosive scene and a lengthy delay.
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The Bears, feeling disrespected, took the entire team off the field in protest. They demanded an ejection.
Gupton was eventually tossed, as was a member of the Mercer infield. An angry Bears player’s mom even got into the action and had to be escorted out of the venue after jumping on top of a dugout in frustration.
Samford showed little respect to its opponent in the SoCon baseball tournament. Bethune-Cookman baseball displayed good sportsmanship despite ending a rival’s season. Some would say karma followed.
The Bulldogs’ season ended with a loss in the SoCon Championship. They will not play in the postseason. The Wildcats, meanwhile, made the NCAA Tournament field and will travel to face Florida State.