BOCA RATON, Fla. – Bethune-Cookman split a pair of games on Saturday as part of second day action during the Paradise Classic hosted by Florida Atlantic at FAU Softball Stadium. The Wildcats dropped their opening game to Stony Brook 8-5, before bouncing back to defeat Loyola (Ill.) 4-1.
 
Game One – Stony Brook 8, BCU 5
Desirae Martinez and Samantha Kelley each had a RBI on Saturday afternoon as Bethune-Cookman fell to Stony Brook 8-5 in the first game of Day Two action for the Wildcats at the Paradise Classic in Boca Raton, Florida. Games are held at FAU Softball Stadium.
 
Bethune-Cookman (0-3) jumped out to an early 5-0 led in the top of the first inning.
 
With the bases loaded, Desirae Martinez punched through a RBI single down the right field line that brought in designated hitter Haley Parks from third for the 1-0 lead. One play later, Joslynn Davis would scamper in from third on a wild pitch by Stony Brook's starting pitcher Ashton Melaas.
 
The lead would grow to 3-0 when Samantha Kelley singled to left center in order to cross Kallie Earlington for the Maroon and Gold score. A throwing error by Stony Brook (1-2) catcher Emily Reinstein would score Martinez.
 
The Seawolves would answer in the bottom of the third inning with five runs of their own.
 
After Alicia Orosco reached on a fielder's choice at the top of the order, Brooke Dye would score courtesy an error charged to the Wildcats infield. Alyssa Costello delivered the big blow of the frame with a three-run double to center field, bringing the Seawolves to within 5-4. After a Sofia Chambers single to center, the game stood tied at 5-all when Costello scored crossed safely.
 
Stony Brook took the lead in the home-half of the fourth when Costello score again, this time off the end of a Cambers RBI single to center.
 
The Seawolves would add a pair of insurance runs in the bottom of the fifth.
 
The win went to Stony Brook reliever Maddie Male who collected her first win of the season to go to 1-0. She worked six innings, scattering three hits, one walk and striking out two batters. The loss went to BCU's Halyne Gonzalez (0-2) as she worked 3.2 innings in the circle, allowing six runs (one earned) on seven hits, one walk and three strikeouts.
 
Joslynn Davis was 2-for-4 at the plate with a run scored. Kelley finished 1-for-3 with a RBI and a run, while second baseman Martinez went 1-for-4 with a run and a RBI as well.
 
Game Two – BCU 4, Loyola (Ill.) 1
Seven Wildcats racked up hits while Halyne Gonzalez went the distance in the pitcher's circle to give Bethune-Cookman its first win of the 2023 season on Saturday evening, as the Cats worked past Loyola (Ill.) 4-1 in the final game of Day Two action at the Paradise Classic in Boca Raton, Florida. The game was played at FAU Softball Stadium.
 
Bethune-Cookman (1-3) got on the board first in the home-half of the second inning when first baseman Ciera Clark lifted a solo home run clear the left field fence that put the Wildcats up 1-0.
 
The Wildcats added three runs in the fifth inning to stretch the lead at 4-0.
 
Kallie Earlington plated Haley Parks with a RBI single to center, followed two plays later by Desirae Martinez singled to left, allowing Earlington to eventually score unearned from second for the 3-0 BCU lead.
 
Jordyn Villanueva's RBI single up the middle crossed Shania Owens for the 4-0 advantage.
 
Loyola (1-3) got on the board courtesy a sacrifice fly from Jocelyn Currie that scored shortstop Madison Ebeling from third for the 4-1 score line.
 
Gonzalez picked up the win in the circle, improving her record to 1-2 on the year as she went all seven innings in the circle, allowing one run on four hits and striking out seven batters. The loss was given to Andie Broniewicz, as she pitched three complete innings, giving up three runs (one earned) on five hits and collecting three strikeouts.
 
Earlington and Clark were each 1-for-3 at the plate with a RBI, while teammate Villanueva added a 1-for-2 day with the bat and a RBI as well.
 
BCU concludes play at the Paradise Classic on Sunday when the Cats play host FAU at 2 p.m.

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