JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – After a two-hour weather delay, Memphis rallied late to defeat Bethune-Cookman 2-1 on Friday afternoon at the Pruitt Softball Complex on the campus of Jacksonville University in what was the first of five scheduled games for the Wildcats in this year's JU/UNF Invitational.
 
Memphis (1-5) opened the scoring in the top-half of the fourth inning.
 
Kendall Lee posted a one-out solo home run to left center that allowed the Tigers the 1-0 lead.
 
Bethune-Cookman (1-5) answered in the home-half of the fifth to knot the game at 1-all.
 
It was freshman Jordyn Villanueva that produced a two-out, run-scoring single through the right side. Thus, allowing designated hitter Haley Parks to score easily from third, after she walked to begin the BCU at-bat.
 
But in the top of the sixth, after back-to-back singles off Wildcats relief pitcher Victoria Guzman, Memphis used an error charged to Guzman that allowed Zoe Adebayo to reach safely. The error was enough to see Meagan Chism score from third and give the Tigers a 2-1 advantage.
 
BCU would leave a runner aboard in the seventh, as Memphis collected the victory.
 
Memphis' starting pitcher Rylee Dugar collected the win to move her record for the 2023 campaign out to 1-2 on the year. She worked all seven innings, allowing one run on four scattered hits, recording three strikeouts and five walks. BCU's Guzman fell to 0-2 on the campaign as she accepted the loss in relief fashion, pitching two innings, allowing one run (unearned) on two hits, one walk and one strikeout.
 
Halyne Gonzalez was the starter for the Maroon and Gold, while she finished five innings in the pitcher's circle with one run allowed on three hits, three walks and striking out six batters.
 
Memphis had hits from five different players in the contest, including the Lee home run.
 
BCU was led at the dish by second baseman Desirae Martinez with a 2-for-4 showing. Villanueva and Parks were the other batters with a hit for the Wildcats, respectfully.
 
Due to weather delays throughout the day and night on Friday, the rearranged schedule for Saturday's portion of the JU/UNF Invitational has BCU taking on Penn State at 11:30 a.m., followed by the JU Dolphins at 4:30 p.m.
 
Follow Bethune-Cookman Softball on Twitter (@BCUSoftball) and Instagram (@BCUSoftball) for all of the latest news and updates. For all Bethune-Cookman Athletics news, follow us on Twitter (@BCUAthletics), Instagram (@BCU_Athletics) and BCUathletics.com.