DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – A five-run fourth inning was highlighted by a Rachel Williams grand slam to help propel visiting UT Martin to an 8-3 win over Bethune-Cookman in non-conference softball action Thursday afternoon at Sunnyland Park.
 
Bethune-Cookman (9-14) starting pitcher sophomore Destiny Enriquez cruised through the first three innings Thursday, until she seemed to run out of gas in the top of the fourth inning. Aided by a tough error charged to the BCU infield with one out, and the Skyhawks of UT Martin were set up to produce the fourth grand slam of the season against the Wildcats in the last seven days.
 
With the bases loaded for UT Martin (8-11) catcher Aeron Smith, she broke the deadlock with the game's opening run on a single to shallow center that allowed Aalia Bivens to score on the play. One play later, designated player Rachel Williams delivered a grand slam to empty the bases and put the Skyhawks up, 5-0.
 
BCU got on the board in the home-half of the fourth on a throwing error from UT Martin first baseman Bivens as she tried to get the force out at home on Kailey Richard who was streaking in from third with the bases loaded for the Wildcats.
 
UT Martin stretched the lead back to 6-1 in the top of the fifth as an error by Wildcats relief pitcher Victoria Guzman allowed Bivens to score for the second time in the game.
 
The Maroon and Gold drew two runs back in the bottom of the inning to cut the lead at 8-3.
 
After Ryan Jackson and Iesha Waters were both hit by a pitch in consecutive at-bats by UT Martin hurler Hannah Ridolfi, Richard singled to deep center in order to drive in Jackson from second. Waters scored on the next play, using an Alexis Bermudez single to left field.
 
As BCU looked for more runs in the frame, the Skyhawks turned their second double play of the game with a line out back to the pitcher.
 
The win was collected by UT Martin starter Ridolfi (5-5) as she went the distance with two runs allowed (one earned) on nine hits, a walk and three strikeouts. Enriquez accepted the loss to fall to 1-5 on the year as she pitched 3.1 innings, allowing five runs (four earned) on six hits.
 
Mariah Estrada relieved Guzman in the top of the seventh to finish the game in the circle for the Cats.
 
BCU was led at the plate by Jackson at the top of the order with a 2-for-3 effort and a run scored. Richard finished 1-for-2 with a RBI and a run of her own. Bermudez was 1-for-3 with the Wildcats' other RBI of the contest.
 
Bethune-Cookman has little time to reflect on today's loss as the Wildcats are back in action Friday, March 9, as they travel across the state to Clearwater for the Under Armour Showcase presented by the University of South Florida. The Cats will begin Friday at 11:30 a.m. against Iowa, followed by a meeting with South Dakota State at 4:15 p.m.
 
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).