LEESBURG, Fla. -- The Bethune-Cookman University Wildcats picked up two impressive wins versus Hofstra [6-1] and Monmouth [5-1] on day one of 'The Spring Game' at Sleepy Hollows Sports Complex.
The Wildcats improved to 3-3 to start the season. B-CU has picked up wins versus the MAC, MAAC, and CAA conferences.
GAME 1 - B-CU[6] HOF [1]
Bethune-Cookman's Hannah Ortega [Linden, Calif] recorded a career-high seven strikeouts to earn her second win in three games. Ortega pitched her third complete game allowing no runs and six hits.
The Wildcats' Haley Parks [Houston, TX] led off the game with a hard struck single, then advanced to second when Jasmeen Rivera [Kisimee, Fl] knocked an RBI single to right field to bring Parks home for the first score of the game; Rivera advanced to second on the throw. Next, Desirae Martinez [Whittier, Ca.] got into the mix, knocking a blooper down the left-field line to bring Rivera home to take an early, 2-0 lead.
Hofstra opened their first stanza with a bunt and a steal to put a runner in scoring position. However, the quick start would fizzle as the next three batters grounded out, struck out, and lined out.
On an errant throw, Hofstra recorded their only run in the bottom of the third inning.
The Wildcats added three runs in the top of the fifth when Julissa Gomez [Lake Elsinore, Cali.], with bases loaded, knocked a two-out, two-RBI single to second base to extend the lead, 4-1. Then, B-CU added another run on a bases-loaded walk.
Parks recorded an RBI single to second to score Gomez for the final score, 6-1.
Five Wildcats recorded two hits. Rivera recorded two runs and an RBI, Gomez recorded a run and two RBIs.
B-CU outhit Hofstra 13-6.
GAME 2: B-CU [5] Monmouth [1]
The Bethune-Cookman softball team recorded their second win, defeating Monmouth Univesity Hawks 5-1 at The Spring Game.
The Hawks got on the board first on an RBI single down the left-field line to take the early lead, 1-0.
The Wildcats answered back in the top of the second, taking advantage of three of Monmouth's errors, scoring five runs.
Halyne Gonzales got her first career start pitched a complete game. Gonzales gave up one run on four hits and struck out eight.
Seven Wildcats recorded a hit, led by Kayla Traylor and Briana Velazquez recorded two hits. Carrington Robinson, Joslynn Davis, and Desirae Martinez each recorded an RBI.
UP NEXT:
On Saturday, the Wildcats will take on #17 Missouri of the SEC and Maryland of the BigTen for day two of The Spring Games at 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. on FlooSports.
