CARY, N.C. – Ryan Jackson powered out a pair of home runs, while all but one (1) Wildcats player recorded a hit Sunday, as Bethune-Cookman Softball pushed past North Carolina Central, 10-2 at Thomas Brooks Park. The win was the fourth on the spin for the Wildcats, allowing them the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) series sweep of the Eagles.
 
Bethune-Cookman (16-26, 7-2 MEAC) scored multiple runs in each of the first three innings, setting the tone early-on.
 
With Annie Bakenhus on with a bunt single in the top of the first inning, freshman designated player Ryan Jackson tallied the first of her game-high two home runs on the day with a shot clear the wall in left field.
 
That put BCU on top, 2-0 with a half-inning in the books.
 
In the top of the second, senior right fielder Kaitlin Alamprese continued her impressive weekend series at the plate, driving in a pair to increase the BCU lead at 4-0, producing a two-run single to right field. Crossing for the Wildcats were Taylor Sherritt and Brianna Sanders, respectfully.
 
That single would ultimately chase North Carolina Central (8-25, 3-6 MEAC) starting pitcher Dominique Wilson after just an inning worked in the circle.
 
In the top of the third, the scoring amped up quickly, yet again, for the visiting Wildcats when Jackson powered out a leadoff home run to left, giving her a league-leading 12th homer of the campaign. In the process, she becomes just the second Wildcats performer in more than 10 years to record double-digit home runs, joining MEAC Hall of Famer Amber Jackson with the honor.
 
Later in the third, the Cats continued the scoring with Sanders picking up her third homer of the campaign with a solo shot over the wall in center field. Sanders' homer allowed her to become the seventh different player on the weekend to record a home run for the Maroon and Gold.
 
With BCU leading 6-0, the advantage would increase when Mariah Davis tallied a run-scoring triple that plated freshman third baseman Yvonne Siordia, followed by Davis scoring on a wild pitch from NCCU reliever Lauren Sitterson.
 
That put the Wildcats up, 9-0.
 
The mercy rule would come into effect in the top of the fourth as a Davis RBI bunt single crossed Alamprese who was on third following a hit from Siordia. Alamprese reached earlier in the at-bat on a fielder's choice.
 
The homestanding Eagles brought themselves to within 10-2 in the home-half of the fourth.
 
Left fielder Danyelle Dolan singled to score pinch runner Zakiya Smith (running in place of Dominique Wilson), while centerfielder Aleyah Evans recorded a sac bunt RBI on the squeeze to drive across Dolan just two plays later.
 
The win was picked up by Sabrina Anguiano, moving her to 9-7 on the year. In MEAC play, she kept her record spotless at 5-0 for the season. In the win, the Hacienda Heights, California native worked the minimum four innings, giving up two runs (one earned) on three hits and striking out two. Classmate Bailey Conner finished the game on the rubber for the Cats, pitching the fifth inning and striking out one batter.
 
The loss went to N.C. Central's Wilson, lowering record at 7-13 for the year. She worked just one inning, allowing four runs on five hits.
 
Six (6) BCU players picked up multiple hits in the game, including the two home runs from three-time 2017 MEAC Player of the Week Ryan Jackson. However, it was Sanders leading the charge at the dish with a game-high three hits, two RBIs and two runs scored. Behind her were Davis and Bakenhus each adding a pair of hits, using two RBIs from Davis as well. Sherritt produced a pair of hits from her catcher position, scoring a run, while Siordia added two hits and a run in the win.
 
Bethune-Cookman returns home for a non-conference doubleheader Wednesday, April 12, when the Wildcats welcome the North Florida Ospreys to Sunnyland Park. Game one is set to begin at 2 p.m.
 
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