Softball | February 21, 2018

LOS ANGELES – For the sixth time in as many years, Bethune-Cookman Softball returns "home" to the west coast of California for a regular season tournament. For the third consecutive season, BCU will face some of the nation's best teams at the Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic in Palm Springs, California. All times for the Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic on the BCU Athletics website are Eastern Standard (EST).
 
With Head Coach Laura Watten at the helm, Bethune-Cookman has always made a point throughout time to return to California, a strong area of recruiting for the program, to have student-athletes play at least a few games in front of their own family.
 
Bethune-Cookman (5-5) has traditionally had a strong contingency on its roster from the Golden State in the sport of softball. This season's team fields a total of 15 student-athletes from California, as well as two additional players from the state of Washington. So, it's always a "homecoming", of sorts, for the Wildcats to play in front of their families and friends.
 
In all, it's a homecoming for Alexis Bermudez, Brianna Campos, Mariah Davis, Destiny Enriquez, Kaiya Epps-Lee, Mariah Estrada, Victoria Guzman, Ryan Jackson, Kailey Richard, Brianna Sanders, Taylor Sherritt, Yvonne Siordia, Cheyenne Smith, Kayla Traylor and Iesha Waters in their return to the Golden State.
 
This year's Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic for the Wildcats includes games against a Top 25 opponent and two additional foes receiving votes in this week's Top 25 poll.
 
Bethune-Cookman opens play Thursday, Feb. 22, facing off against No. 11 Tennessee (3:30 p.m.), followed by a nightcap affair with Oregon State (11:00 p.m.) who is receiving votes in this week's USA Today/NFCA Coaches Poll.
 
On Friday, the Maroon and Gold clash with Long Beach State (9 p.m.), also receiving votes in this week's Top 25 poll.
 
BCU will conclude the weekend on Saturday with a pair of games against Missouri and San Diego State, respectfully.
 
The Wildcats are coming off a tournament last weekend in Lake Buena Vista, Florida in which they went 3-2 at the Disney Diamond 9 Citrus Blossom Invite held at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. The Maroon and Gold took wins against Stetson, Quinnipiac and Northern Iowa, respectfully.
 
For those accomplishments, BCU freshman Alexis Bermudez was named Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Rookie of the Week. Sophomore right fielder Ryan Jackson was named MEAC Co-Player of the Week.
 
Bermudez a 5-6, freshman pitcher from Santa Fe Springs, California, accounted for a team-high nine RBIs over the weekend, as well as picking up a win in the pitcher's circle for Bethune-Cookman at the Disney Diamond 9 Citrus Blossom Invite. Bermudez recorded six hits, including a key three-run home run in the come-from-behind, mercy-rule 15-5 win over Volusia County opponent Stetson. In all, she tallied four putouts and eight assists in the field. In the circle, she went the distance against the Hatters of Stetson in throwing all five innings, allowing five runs (three earned) on seven hits, but still managed to collect her first collegiate victory in the 15-5 BCU decision. She also struck out two batters in that contest.
 
As for Jackson, the 5-6 Chino Hills, California native, was named Co-Player of the Week for the second time in as many tries after helping Bethune-Cookman to a 3-2 weekend at the Disney Diamond 9 Citrus Blossom Invite at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. Jackson led the Maroon and Gold with a .556 batting average in five games. She punched out her fourth home run of the season in an eight-inning 6-5 setback to LIU Brooklyn, but bounced back with three doubles in the come-from-behind win against Quinnipiac. In all, she amassed four stolen bases in four attempts, as well as a perfect fielding percentage with five putouts and an assist from her right field position. She also collected 10 hits on the weekend with a team second-most six RBIs.
 
For more information on this year's Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic and a complete schedule, please visit the official website by clicking here. All games for the event will be streamed online through FLOSoftball (click link for applicable fees).
 
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