FT. MYERS, Fla. – Bethune-Cookman Softball picked up a pair of wins Saturday, boasting victories over Florida Gulf Coast (W, 6-5) and Oakland (W, 2-0), respectively, at the FGCU Softball Complex. The games were both part of the FGCU/Four Points by Sheraton Invitational, hosted by Florida Gulf Coast.

GAME 1 RECAP

After a dominating 6-0 lead heading into the bottom of the fifth, Bethune-Cookman was able to hold on to its early efforts despite allowing five FGCU runs to cross the plate in the finally three innings.

Sophomore Sabrina Anguiano (2-8) collected her second victory of the season for the Wildcats after spending 6.1 innings in the circle. She allowed nine hits, five runs, four earned runs and one walk during her 31 batters faced.

An error in the top of the first, from the tournament-host Eagles allowed, B-CU to turn its two hits into two runs as Mariah Davis scored on a Nereyda Gutierrez single up the middle and Sophia Ortega scored an unearned run to finish the inning.

Leading 2-0, and only allowing six FGCU batters in the box, senior Calesha Shelley singled to third base to open the third inning, and stole second, putting her in scoring position. Davis' single to right field scored Shelly after a fielding error on the Eagles outfielder allowed Shelley to pick up the extra base.

Two doubles in the top of the fifth boosted the Wildcat lead to six, led by Shamaria Engram and Kaitlin Alamprese's back-to-back shots to the green.

The Eagles put their first run on the board during the bottom half of the fifth has B-CU took the dominating 6-1 lead heading into the final two frames.

The sleeping FGCU bats woke in the bottom of the six and seventh as the Eagles were able to produce four runs over the two frame span, but the last minute efforts were not enough as the Wildcats were able to hangout to their early lead with the 6-5 victory.

Three cats finished the victory with multi-hit performances, led by Gutierrez' two hits and two RBIs.

GAME 2 RECAP

Sophomore Bailey Conner went the distance in the pitcher's circle Saturday, helping Bethune-Cookman to a 2-0 shutout of Oakland at the FGCU Softball Complex. For the Wildcats, the shutout was the first of its kind on the campaign.

Bethune-Cookman (4-9) plated both of its runs in the home-half of the opening inning.

Senior outfielder Calesha Shelley singled on a bunt and stole second to immediately put herself into scoring position at the leadoff spot for the Wildcats. Centerfielder Mariah Davis followed with a run-scoring triple to left center, scoring Shelley for the 1-0 advantage.

Nereyda Gutierrez followed with a sacrifice fly to deep center field, allowing Davis to score on the play.

With B-CU up 2-0 after one, Conner allowed just two hits over the next three innings after working the minimum in the second.

With two runners on in the fourth and fifth innings, respectively, Conner came alive in the circle and the B-CU defense helped the Encinitas, California native out as well. An unassisted groundout to Bryanna Campos at third closed the fourth, while back-to-back plays from Sophia Ortega and Kaitlin Alamprese wrapped up the fifth to help the Cats escape any danger.

Conner earned the win on the strength of seven complete innings, spreading out six hits and fanning five batters against a single walk. With the win, she improved her record to 2-1 on the campaign. The loss was tacked to Oakland's Erin Kownacki who evened her record at 2-2 on the year.

The B-CU offense was paced by Shelley's 2-for-3 day, adding a run scored. She was followed by three players with hits – Davis, Ortega and Shamaria Engram.

Oakland (3-5) was charged offensively by Jackie Kisman with a 2-for-3 outing at the plate, while pitcher Kownacki tossed the complete game with two runs allowed on five hits.

Bethune-Cookman finishes up its stint at the FGCU/Four Points by Sheraton Invitational on Sunday, taking on Purdue at 9 a.m.

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