TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Bethune-Cookman pitchers Alexis Bermudez and Destiny Enriquez combined for a shutout on Sunday in leading Bethune-Cookman past Florida A&M, 7-0 and completing a three-game series sweep of the Rattlers at the FAMU Softball Complex. With the win, BCU secured the top seed for the Southern Division in the upcoming Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Tournament.
 
Florida A&M (20-27, 11-4 MEAC) held a two and a half game lead over the Wildcats heading into the weekend series. Meaning, BCU needed to sweep the four-time defending MEAC Tournament Champion Rattlers in order to win the Southern Division crown.
 
After collecting a sweep of Saturday's doubleheader, Bethune-Cookman (27-24, 12-3 MEAC) did not waste time opening its scoring account on Sunday, tallying a run in the opening half-inning of the game.
 
Ryan Jackson drew a two-out walk to work her way on base. Iesha Waters then reached on an error by FAMU centerfielder Jamesia Stoudemire, allowing Jackson to score from first and give BCU the 1-0 advantage.
 
The visitors added to the lead in the top of the fifth inning to make it 2-0.
 
Cheyenne Smith reached safely on an error by FAMU's Yurie Hampton at shortstop, advancing to second on the overthrow to first. Smith moved up to third on a wild pitch by Kyaira Brown, only to score a play later courtesy a sacrifice fly to center from senior Mariah Davis.
 
The lead increased at 3-0 in favor of the Maroon and Gold in the top of the sixth when Brianna Sanders registered an RBI double, allowing Waters to score after the BCU first baseman began the inning with a double down the line in left.
 
The Cats would leave no doubt as to the outcome in the top of the seventh as they scored four insurance runs to make it 7-0.
 
Davis legged out a bunt with one out, followed by a single from Jacki Smith and a walk drawn by Jackson to load the bases. Seemingly coming up with every clutch hit in the month of April, Waters knocked in two runs with a double down the left field line (her second two-bagger of the day) to make it 5-0.
 
Jackson and Waters would later score when Sanders reached on the third error of the game charged to the Rattlers – the second of the game by Hampton from the shortstop position. That produced the final 7-0 score in favor of the Wildcats and sealed the Southern Division title in the process.
 
Alexis Bermudez (10-9) collected the win in the circle – her third of the weekend. She worked three innings for the Wildcats, allowing just four hits and two walks. The save was collected by sophomore Destiny Enriquez (3) as she worked the final four innings, scattering four hits and picking up two strikeouts.
 
The loss went to FAMU's Brown in the pitcher's circle as she went the distance, allowing seven runs (three earned) on nine hits and two walks. She also collected three strikeouts.
 
The BCU offense was paced by Jacki Smith with her 3-for-4 afternoon at the plate, adding a run as well. Waters was 2-for-4 with two runs and two RBIs. And it was catcher Taylor Sherritt delivering a 2-for-4 afternoon at the dish.
 
Bethune-Cookman will next compete in the MEAC Softball Tournament hosted by the Wildcats in Ormond Beach, Florida. The event takes place May 9-12 at the Ormond Beach Sports Complex.
 
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