BOCA RATON, Fla. – Bethune-Cookman dropped a pair of non-conference softball contests Saturday afternoon, as the Wildcats fell to national power and sixth-ranked Georgia by a 12-0 decision, followed by a 6-3 setback to St. John's (N.Y.) in the nightcap of day two action in the First Pitch Classic hosted by Florida Atlantic University at FAU Stadium.
 
No. 6 GEORGIA 12, BCU 0 (5 inn.)
No. 6 Georgia exploded for six runs in the second inning, as the Bulldogs proved too much for Bethune-Cookman in a 12-0 decision in five innings Saturday morning at FAU Stadium in Boca Raton, Florida. The game was part of day two action in the First Pitch Classic hosted by Florida Atlantic.
 
Georgia (3-0), ranked No. 6 in the NCAA preseason poll, used three home runs in the top-half of the second inning to open the game's scoring in an emphatic way.
 
Right fielder Alysen Febrey registered a leadoff homer to give the Dogs an early 1-0 lead. Three batters later, it was third baseman Jordan Doggett recording a two-run homer to score herself plus Lacey Fincher, advancing the Bulldogs lead at 3-0 with one away in the inning.
 
The final three runs of the frame came in off the end of an Alyssa DiCarlo three-run shot to straightaway center field, putting Georgia up 6-0 heading into the bottom of the frame.
 
The Dogs would score five additional runs in the top-half of the fourth inning to increase the lead to 11-0.
 
Febrey tallied her second home run of the day with a two-run shot clear the wall in right field that also crossed Justice Milz. Meanwhile, it was DiCarlo who picked up her second round-tripper of the game with a two-run scoring blast to center that also plated Savana Sikes.
 
Georgia added an insurance run in the top of the fifth, using a run-scoring single to center from substitute left fielder Tyler Armistead to score DiCarlo.
 
Bethune-Cookman (1-2) used a 2-for-3 effort at the dish from center fielder Cheyenne Smith, while Yvonne Siordia, Kaiya Epps-Lee and Quianah Mitchell each posted hits apiece in the game.
 
The win was scooped up by Georgia starting pitcher Madison McPherson (1-0) as she went three innings in the circle, allowing just four hits and striking out one. Lauren Mathis finished it off for the Bulldogs, throwing the final two innings and allowing just a hit and picking up a strikeout.
 
The loss went to BCU sophomore Alexis Bermudez (0-2) as she toed the rubber for just 1.2 innings in the contest, giving up five runs on four hits, walking two and fanning three.
 
ST. JOHN'S 6, BCU 3
A furious comeback effort from Bethune-Cookman fell short Saturday afternoon, as the Wildcats dropped their second game of the day in the First Pitch Classic by a 6-3 count against St. John's (N.Y.) at FAU Stadium in Boca Raton, Florida.
 
St. John's (1-2) scored five early runs in the home-half of the second inning to set the tone right from start.
 
The Red Storm kicked off the scoring when eight-hole hitter Kamryn Tiumalu picked up a two-out single to left that scored left fielder Gabriella Conca, giving them a 1-0 lead. Moments later with two runners on, leadoff hitter Amelia Ditolvo unleashed a three-run scoring homer to left center that also played Meisha Murray and Tiumalu for the 4-0 St. John's lead.
 
The lead would increase by one when Marissa Rizzi and Gretchen Bowie performed a double-steal to score Bowie for the 5-0 lead in favor of the Red Storm.
 
Bethune-Cookman (1-3) would rally in the top of the third with three runs of its own.
 
With the bases loaded and one away for the Wildcats, designated player Brianna Paysinger delivered a two-run scoring single to the wall in right, allowing speedster Cheyenne Smith and catcher Kayla Traylor to score on the play. One batter later, the Wildcats returned the favor with a perfectly executed double-steal of their own as Jacki Smith scored on the play and cut into the deficit, 5-3.
 
However, in the bottom of the fourth inning, Natalie Giroux's double to left center was enough to score Rizzi and lead to the final 6-3 winning effort in favor of St. John's.
 
BCU was led at the plate by seven Wildcats earning a hit each, including the two-run scoring hit from Paysinger who finished the game 1-for-2 overall with two RBIs.
 
The Red Storm's Angela Saric (1-1) picked up the win as she went the distance in the circle, allowing three runs on seven hits, two walks and collecting four strikeouts.
 
The loss was credited to Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Preseason Pitcher of the Year Alexis Bermudez (0-3) who dropped her third contest of the year. The Santa Fe Springs, California right-hander worked 3.1 innings in the circle, giving up six runs on nine hits, walking three batters and collecting five strikeouts. Classmate Victoria Guzman worked 2.2 innings in a relief effort, scattering two hits and striking out three.
 
Bethune-Cookman concludes its stay in this year's First Pitch Classic on Sunday when BCU takes on host Florida Atlantic at 1:30 p.m. The game will have live stats available here. You can also purchase a subscription to view the game here.
 
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