PALM SPRINGS, Calif. – Under the direction of veteran head coach Laura Watten, Bethune-Cookman Softball travels west to compete in the renowned Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic in Cathedral City, California. Annually, the event features some of the best teams from around the country, as they compete in Cathedral City, California. All times for games on BCUathletics.com are listed local to site.
 
Action for the Wildcats gets underway Thursday, Feb. 23, running through Saturday, Feb. 25.
 
The event takes place at Big League Dreams Cathedral City with more than 25 teams taking part in the Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic this year. All games will be streamed on FLOsoftball.
 

Thursday, Feb. 23
9:30 a.m. – vs. No. 8 Washington | Live Stats | FLOsoftball | Tickets
12:30 p.m. – vs. UC Riverside | Live Stats | FLOsoftball | Tickets
 
Friday, Feb. 24
3:30 p.m. – vs. Iowa | Live Stats | FLOsoftball | Tickets
 
Saturday, Feb. 25
2:30 p.m. – vs. Arizona State | Live Stats | FLOsoftball | Tickets
5 p.m. – vs. Texas Tech | Live Stats | FLOsoftball | Tickets
 

• Two weeks ago, sophomore shortstop Desirae Martinez was named Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Hitter of the Week
• A notable win for BCU in the Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic occurred on February 21, 2019, as the Wildcats defeated No. 17 Oregon 5-3.
• Haley Parks is second on the team in batting average, using a .208 average thus far on the season
• Bethune-Cookman has used four pitchers this season
• Halyne Gonzalez has a 1-4 record in the circle for the Wildcats, including a 4.38 ERA
• As a team, BCU is hitting just. 167 as a team, while opponents are batting at a .311 clip
• Ciera Clark and Martinez have each registered home runs for the Maroon and Gold
• Washington will serve as the second Top 25 team the Cats have played this year, having fallen to No. 23 Mississippi State in the opening weekend's Paradise Classic in Boca Raton, Florida
• Bethune-Cookman is 1-30 in the Mary Nutter collegiate Classic since 2016, but has been in two extra-inning affairs out west

                                                                                                                                   

"I love the Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic. Not only is it one of the best events as far as the professionalism and way we are treated every year, but also in the fact we get to play against some of the best teams in the nation and test ourselves. The opportunity for Bethune-Cookman to be part of this every year…it's truly special to me and the entire athletics department, as a whole."
 
"To be the only HBCU that competes in this event, it makes our presence unique. We get so many young players and fans asking for posters and anything with the Bethune-Cookman logo on it because we bring something different to the Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic each and every year that we're fortunate enough to be part of this great event."
 
"The players get a chance to play in front of THEIR families and friends, and compete against their former high school and travel ball teammates as well. With so many players on our roster each year from California, that is a true recruiting tool. We get to play in front of a 'home' crowd, and they get to play in front of their families. And seeing the families support us – it is so special. I really love coming here."
 

Bethune-Cookman completed its annual trip to the Mary Nutter Softball Classic with a 6-1 loss to UC Riverside.

The Wildcats concluded a five-game stay with an 0-5 mark, falling to nationally ranked teams BYU 7-0 and Arizona 8-1 along with a 9-0 setback to Cal State Northridge and a 9-2 decision to San Diego.

Against San Diego, BCU had a 2-1 lead going into the seventh when Julissa Gomez scored in the fourth  on Hayley Parks' single then Joslynn Davis scored an inning later on an error. San Diego would score
eight runs with two outs in the seventh to take the victory. Briana Paysinger had three hits in the game.

Kara Traylor had three hits in the UC Riverside game, while Gomez brought home Paysinger for the lone Wildcat run.

Against Arizona, Paysinger had two hits and scored the BCU run when Desirae Martinez drove her home in the sixth.
 

SCOUTING WASHINGTON (9-2, 0-0 Pac 12)
Rankings: USA Today/NFCA Coaches – 8 | ESPN.com/USA Softball – 10
Head Coach: Heather Tarr (18th season)
2023 Batting Average: .300; Runs Per Game: 6.9; Hits Per Game: 7.6; Slugging Percentage: .504
2023 ERA: 1.67; K/BB Ratio: 0.95; Opp. Batting Avg: .381
 
SCOUTING UC RIVERSIDE (4-7, 0-0 Big West)
Rankings: USA Today/NFCA Coaches – NR | ESPN.com/USA Softball – NR
Head Coach: Nikki Palmer (7th season)
2023 Batting Average: .255; Runs Per Game: 3.6; Hits Per Game: 6.5; Slugging Percentage: .376
2023 ERA: 3.94; K/BB Ratio: 1.00; Opp. Batting Avg: .263
 
SCOUTING IOWA (6-3, 0-0 Big Ten)
Rankings: USA Today/NFCA Coaches – NR | ESPN.com/USA Softball – NR
Head Coach: Renee Gillispie (5th season)
2023 Batting Average: .331; Runs Per Game: 4.9; Hits Per Game: 8.8; Slugging Percentage: .448
2023 ERA: 1.97; K/BB Ratio: 1.76; Opp. Batting Avg: .202
 
SCOUTING ARIZONA STATE (8-2, 0-0 Pac 12)
Rankings: USA Today/NFCA Coaches – RV | ESPN.com/USA Softball – RV
Head Coach: Megan Bartlett (1st season)
2023 Batting Average: .349; Runs Per Game: 6.4; Hits Per Game: 9.0; Slugging Percentage: .640
2023 ERA: 2.94; K/BB Ratio: 2.71; Opp. Batting Avg: .231
 
SCOUTING TEXAS TECH (9-2, 0-0 Big 12)
Rankings: USA Today/NFCA Coaches – RV | ESPN.com/USA Softball – RV
Head Coach: Craig Snider (1st season)
2023 Batting Average: .336; Runs Per Game: 7.5; Hits Per Game: 9.1; Slugging Percentage: .658
2023 ERA: 3.45; K/BB Ratio: 2.73; Opp. Batting Avg: .262
 
ADMISSIONS
Ticket packages and information for the event can be accessed here. Tickets are $85 when purchased online, or $90 when purchased at the gate.
 

Bethune-Cookman competes in the final in-season tournament of the 2023 campaign when traveling to The Spring Games in Madeira Beach, Florida. The Wildcats will take on Hofstra and Coastal Carolina on March 3, while facing LIU and Creighton the following day, concluding with Southern Indiana on Sunday.
 

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