DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Bethune-Cookman split a non-conference softball doubleheader with FIU on Wednesday afternoon at Sunnyland Park in Daytona Beach, Florida. B-CU took the opening game, 4-3, before falling by a 7-2 decision in the nightcap.
GAME ONE: BETHUNE-COOKMAN 4, FIU 3
Senior catcher Melissa Berouty delivered a two-run scoring walk-off single in the bottom of the seventh inning, allowing Bethune-Cookman to capture a 4-3 come-from-behind victory over visiting FIU at Sunnyland Park in Daytona Beach, Florida.
Trailing 4-2 entering the bottom of the seventh inning, Bethune-Cookman (12-26) scored a two-out come-from-behind win with one of the team's leading hitters for average.
After first baseman Iesha Waters was hit by a pitch to load the bases, senior Melissa Berouty drove a 1-1 pitch to the gap in left center, allowing the speedy Mariah Davis and Wanda Darby to score for the comeback win. For the Wildcats, it was the second seventh inning walk-off win in as many games at home.
FIU (21-21) took the early lead with three runs in the top of the third inning.
Second baseman Ashley Leon plated Aleima Lopez with a double to left, followed by first baseman Stephanie Texeira scoring two with a single to left center.
The Maroon and Gold answered in the home-half of the frame when Waters drove across Darby for the first of her two runs scored in the game, driving a single to right field.
B-CU trailed heading into the bottom of the fifth inning, 3-1.
The Wildcats chipped into the lead with an unearned run in the frame.
Center fielder Mariah Davis reached on a fielder's choice, coming around to score the first of her two runs in the contest when Waters reached on an error charged to FIU shortstop A.J. Belans. That brought B-CU to within the dramatic scoring line of 3-2.
The win went to junior Sabrina Anguiano, improving her record to 6-12 on the campaign, as she threw all seven innings. The Hacienda Heights, California native allowed three runs on nine hits scattered, and walking just a single batter. The loss went to FIU starter Corinne Jenkins, dropping her at 5-7 for the season.
The B-CU offense was led at the plate by Davis, Berouty and Bailey Conner with two hits each. Berouty added two RBI, while teammate Waters plated one.
GAME TWO: FIU 7, BETHUNE-COOKMAN 2
Annie Bakenhus and Bryanna Campos each supplied a pair of hits in the nightcap of Wednesday's doubleheader, but it was visiting FIU collecting the 7-2 victory over Bethune-Cookman at Sunnyland Park in Daytona Beach, Florida.
After FIU scored two runs in the top of the opening frame, Bethune-Cookman (12-27) answered with a run in the home-half of the second inning.
B-CU third baseman Bryanna Campos singled to move Brianna Sanders to third, putting runners on the corners with just one out. After Campos stole her first base of the year, senior second baseman Sophia Ortega recorded a RBI groundout to second, pushing across Sanders to cut inti the deficit, 2-1.
After FIU scored two more runs in the third and fourth inning, respectfully, B-CU head coach Laura Watten turned to relief pitcher Bailey Conner to finish the game in the circle for the Maroon and Gold.
Conner worked the final four innings in relief of freshman starter Deidra Genera, allowing three unearned runs on five hits, a walk and a strikeout.
B-CU trailed 7-1 in the bottom of the seventh before Bakenhus plated Ortega on a two-out single to right, delivering the final 7-2 score line.
The win went to FIU reliever Abby Summers, improving her mark at 8-6 on the year. She worked 2.1 innings, allowing just a hit and a walk, while adding a strikeout. The loss went to Genera, dropping her record for the year to 5-10.
Bakenhus finished the game 2-for-4 at the plate with a run driven in, while teammate Campos added a perfect 2-for-2 showing at the dish with a walk drawn as well.
Bethune-Cookman returns to Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) play this weekend, traveling to South Carolina State for a three-game series beginning Saturday, April 16, in Orangeburg, South Carolina. The series begins with a Saturday doubleheader, as first pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m.
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