BOCA RATON, Fla. – Briana Paysinger drove in both runs, including the game-winner in the sixth as Bethune-Cookman downed Northern Illinois 2-1 in its season opener Friday at the Florida Atlantic First Pitch tournament.

The Wildcats settled for an opening day split, falling 14-0 to Louisville in the nightcap.

Paysinger drove in Haley Parks with a two-out single down the right field line to break the 1-1 tie, then Hannah Ortega concluded her complete game with a 1-2-3 seventh to seal the victory in the Wildcats' first game since 2020.

B-CU took a 1-0 lead in the first when Essence Gibbs led off with a double and scored on a Paysinger single.

Ortega scattered six hits, walked one and struck out three to pick up the victory. She got out of a bases loaded jam in the second and after giving the lone run in the third, retired the final 14 batters she faced.

Louisville jumped out to a 10-0 second inning lead to down the Wildcats in the second game of the day. Sydney Edmond registered a base hit for B-CU.

The Wildcats return to action Saturday at 11:30 a.m. against Ohio State and 2 p.m. against Indiana.