LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – Bethune-Cookman Softball will stay close to home for the second weekend of the 2017 season, traveling just over an hour west to Lake Buena Vista for the Disney Diamond 9 Orange Blossom Classic. The event takes place at the Wide World of Sports Complex on the grounds of Walt Disney World, just outside of Orlando.
 
Bethune-Cookman (1-4) will face five teams in this year's Disney Diamond 9 Orange Blossom Classic.
 
The Wildcats take on Delaware to begin their weekend on Friday, Feb. 17, at 3:15 p.m. They will have a short rest after facing the Blue Hens, before grappling with Marshall at 5:30 p.m.
 
On Saturday, BCU faces local opponent Stetson at 1 p.m., followed by a contest against George Washington at 3:15 p.m.
 
The Cats end the weekend with a single game on Sunday against Providence at 10 a.m.
 
For a list of all games at this year's event, please visit the official website by clicking here.
 
Keep It Social
While there will be no live video/radio stream of the games this weekend, fans can keep up-to-date with the action by following the official BCU Softball twitter account (@BCUSoftball). You can also follow the Wildcats on Instagram and Facebook (BCUathletics).
 
MEAC Player of the Week
Mariah Davis was named as this week's Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Player of the Week from her performance last weekend at the FAU Kick-Off Classic in Boca Raton, Florida. The 5-foot junior outfielder from Madera, California, batted .533 over the weekend in five games. She recorded eight hits, five runs and two RBIs with the bat. On the base path, she stole three bases in three attempts. While patrolling center field, she posted 10 putouts and an assist in 11 attempts for a perfect fielding percentage.
 
Play Maker
Ryan Jackson, one of 10 freshman on this year's roster, slugged out her first career home run last weekend in a BCU victory over Boston University.
 
Out of a Jam
Freshman pitcher Mariah Estrada got herself into a bases loaded, no outs jam in the fifth inning against Boston University, only to work her way out of it with no runs allowed. Thus, preserving the win for the Maroon and Gold.
 
It'SU Again
The meeting between Bethune-Cookman and Stetson this weekend will mark the 96th time the Wildcats and Hatters have played on the softball field. However, in the friendly rivalry between the Volusia County opponents, it's Stetson who owns a commanding 80-15 advantage in the series, including wins in the last six consecutive contests.
 
First Time in Classic
For the Wildcats, this marks their first time ever competing in the Disney Diamond 9 Orange Blossom Classic.
 
Bethune-Cookman Softball on Twitter (@BCUSoftball) for all of the latest news and updates. For all Bethune-Cookman Athletics news, follow us on Twitter (@BCUathletics), Instagram (@BCUathletics), Snapchat (@BCUathletics) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/BCUathletics).