DELAND, Fla. – Ciera Clark hit a three-run home run, and Hannah Ortega scattered seven hits as Bethune=Cookman downed Stetson 4-1 in the final game of the Hatter Invitational.

The Wildcats (5-14) snapped a nine-game losing streak, scoring all four runs in the first.

After Desirae Martinez drove in Haley Parks with a single and Shania Owens was hit by a pitch, Clark launched a full count pitch over the wall in left center to give the Wildcats a 4-0 lead.

It would be the final Wildcat hit, but Ortega took control in the circle after that, striking out a season-high nine and allowing just three hits over the final four innings.

Ortega improved to 3-3 with the victory.

The Wildcats open their 2022 home schedule Tuesday against Tennessee State at 1 p.m. in Sunnyland Park.

HEAD COACH LAURA WATTEN
"The key was our energy. It's what we needed all weekend. It's the culture the program and how we do things. We came out ready to attack."

"Ciera's home run was a great at bat. She got behind the count and fought back through. She fouled off pitches she didn't want to get the pitch she did. It was good execution."

"Hannah has been working on how to spin her pitches.  She's working on hitting her spots and not trying to blow past people. She stayed focused on the process instead of trying to overpower people."