CARY, N.C. – Alexis Bermudez threw her first collegiate no-hitter Tuesday as Bethune-Cookman run-ruled North Carolina Central 8-0 in the final game of a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Southern Division series.

The sophomore from Sante Fe Springs, Calif., named the 2018 MEAC Rookie of the Year, walked two and struck out two. One other NCCU runner reached on a first-inning error.

"My team had my back today," Bermudez said. "I absolutely could have not done it without them. I was so into the game that I didn't even notice until it was over I hadn't given up a hit."

Bermudez' no-no was the first for BCU since Shanel Tolbert's on April 7, 2013 against South Carolina State, also an 8-0 decision.

"My best asset today was my mind sight," Bermudez said. "Not every pitch was working the way I wanted it to, but not cracking under the pressure, trusting my teammates and fighting was what got me through it."

This was also the sixth shutout of the season for Bermudez with five of those coming in conference play in which she sports a 1.47 ERA.  She's 10-17 overall and 7-1 in league action.

"This is a great accomplishment for Lexi, and I'm extremely proud and happy for her," said BCU Head Coach Laura Watten. "Lexi has consistently put in the extra work and diligently committed to many goals for herself and the team, and she has been close to earning her first career no-hitter on a few occasions this season. Today, she was able to step on the field and command the circle with her defense playing solid behind her, and it's just a reflection of what this team is capable of accomplishing when we trust the process and play for each other." 

BCU (17-26 overall, 8-1 MEAC) jumped on NCCU (14-23,4-5) for five first-inning runs, three coming on a bases-loaded double by freshman third baseman Kaira Cabato.

The Wildcats added three runs in the second on RBI singles from Brianna Paysinger and Kaiya Epps-Lee while Sasha Killings scored on an error.

Paysinger and Brianna Sanders each had two hits for BCU.

The Wildcats host North Carolina A&T for a three-game series beginning with a doubleheader Friday at 1 p.m.

NOTES: Despite giving up a grand slam homer in the second game loss, Bermudez finished the series with a 2.00 ERA … She also maintained her MEAC strikeout lead; she now has 125 this season …. Kayla Traylor hit .500 (3-6) for the series, followed by Smith at .429 (3-7) and Sanders at .400 (2-5) … Epps-Lee had six RBI …… BCU has now won eight straight league series dating back to last year.