CLERMONT, Fla. – Runs were tough to come by Sunday morning, as the Bethune-Cookman softball team fell in its final game of the 2016 National Collegiate Softball Invitational hosted by PFX Athletics, dropping a 9-2 decision to the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga on Legends Way Field. Overall for the weekend, Bethune-Cookman garnered a 3-2 record.
For Bethune-Cookman (3-2), pitchers Bailey Conner (Encinitas, Calif.) and Deidra Genera (Norwalk, Calif.) saw time in the circle, with Conner – a 5-9, junior from Encinitas, California, seeing her first action of 2016, getting the nod from head coach Laura Watten.
B-CU got on the board first in the top of the second inning.
Senior second baseman Sophia Ortega (Highland, Calif.) started off the inning with a single to right center. After the Mocs recorded back-to-back outs, but Ortega advancing to third, classmate Wanda Darby (Bartow, Fla.) reached safely on an error charged to first baseman Jesslyn Stockard of Chattanooga (5-0), allowing Ortega to score from third.
That gave B-CU the 1-0 advantage.
In the top of the third, the Wildcats were able to get to UTC starter Kailey Palazzolo once again.
A B-CU two-out rally began with freshman Annie Bakenhus (Yucaipa, Calif.) singling back to the pitcher's circle, and teammate Iesha Waters (Riverside, Calif.) plating Bakenhus courtesy a double to left, giving B-CU a 2-0 edge heading into the bottom of the frame.
In the bottom of the inning, UTC finally got to Conner, as second baseman Criket Blanco lined a two-out, two-run scoring double to left center, knotting the score at 2-all.
Genera would enter the mound with two outs and runners on first and second, but Stockard registered a two-RBI single to right center, advancing the Mocs out in front for good, 4-2.
UTC would plate another five runs in the fifth inning, leading to the 9-2 final.
Conner took the loss in her first decision of the year, tossing 2 2/3 innings, allowing four earned runs on a pair of hits and striking out two batters with five walks. Genera finished it off with the final 3 1/3 innings worked, allowing five unearned runs on nine hits and walking two against a single strikeout.
Palazzolo worked the entire game for the Mocs, earning her first win of the year to improve to 1-0. She allowed just the two runs (one earned) with five strikeouts and three walks.
B-CU was led offensively by Waters' 2-for-2 day at the dish, adding a RBI. Bakenhus, Brianna Sanders (San Marcos, Calif.) and Ortega all tallied a hit apiece, with Bakenhus and Ortega scoring the Maroon and Gold runs.
Bethune-Cookman takes to the field next in Cathedral City, California, as the Wildcats take part in the first of two Mary Nutter Collegiate Classics on the west coast. B-CU opens play Friday, Feb. 19, taking on Pacific and LSU, respectfully.
In all, a total of 13 players out of this year's 14-player roster for the Maroon and Gold will be returning to the Golden State.
Follow Bethune-Cookman Athletics on Facebook (www.facebook.com/BCUathletics), Twitter (www.twitter.com/BCUathletics) and Instagram (www.instagram.com/BCUathletics) for all of the latest news and updates. Fans also receive timely information, including special offers and giveaways throughout the year, via the social media outlets or www.BCUathletics.com.
– @BCUsoftball –
