DeLAND, Fla. – Freshman second baseman Ryan Jackson powered out her fourth home run of the season Sunday morning, helping Bethune-Cookman Softball to a 13-5 win over Cornell on the final day of the Hatter Classic at Patricia Wilson Field. The three-day event was hosted by Stetson University.
 
After falling behind by a run heading to the bottom of the first inning, Bethune-Cookman (2-18) scored eight unanswered runs – beginning with two in the opening frame, breaking a 16-game losing skid.
 
Brianna Sanders, a sophomore from San Marcos, California, delivered a two-run double shot back up the middle, allowing Kaitlin Alamprese and Ryan Jackson to score on the play.
 
BCU increased the lead at 3-1 in the home-half of the second inning when sophomore left fielder Annie Bakenhus reached safely in her at-bat via an error charged to Cornell shortstop Kim Dolhon, which allowed Taylor Sherritt to score from third.
 
The first of two big innings in the game came in the third for the Wildcats.
 
The first four batters would reach safely for the Maroon and Gold, using a Sherritt single with the bases loaded to drive in the inning's first two runs, as Jackson and Alamprese were each plated on the play. Bakenhus would register a two-run double to the wall in left center, crossing Sherritt and pinch runner Kaiya Epps-Lee.
 
The lead would swell to 8-1 with the help of Jackson drawing a bases loaded walk that allowed Bakenhus to score.
 
Cornell (1-4) would respond in the top of the fourth with three runs, followed by another run in the fifth, pulling the Bears to within 8-5.
 
However, it would be Bethune-Cookman answering with four runs in the bottom of the fifth, with all four runs coming off the bat of Chino Hills, California native Jackson picking up her fourth home run of the year and her first collegiate grand slam.
 
The Cats added another run in the sixth inning when Bakenhus pushed a sacrifice fly to left, but deep enough for pinch runner Jacki Smith to score from third and end the game in run-rule fashion.
 
In the win, it was senior Bailey Conner collecting the win in the circle. The Encinitas, California native went 2.1 innings in relief fashion, allowing a run on one hit, three walks and tallying two strikeouts. Freshman Mariah Estrada started the game, finishing with 3.2 innings tossed, giving up four runs (all unearned) on four hits and a walk.
 
The Wildcats of BCU were paced at the plate by Jackson's perfect 3-for-3 effort, including the grand slam. She finished with five RBIs and three runs scored. Behind her was Sherritt with a 3-for-4 day, driving in a pair of runs and scoring twice herself. Bakenhus and Sanders each had two hits as well.
 
Bethune-Cookman hosts Western Carolina on Tuesday, March 7, in the home opener for the Wildcats at Sunnyland Park. First pitch for the doubleheader affair is set for 2 p.m.
 
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