JACKSON, Miss. – Bethune-Cookman Softball erupted for nine runs across the final two innings Friday evening, helping push the Wildcats past homestanding Jackson State 10-3 in the series opener of a Southwestern Athletic Conference three-game set at JSU Softball Field.
 
Trailing 2-1 in the top of the sixth inning, Bethune-Cookman (13-25, 11-5 SWAC) plated six runs in the frame to take a commanding lead – one which the Wildcats would never relinquish.
 
Shortstop Kayla Traylor worked her way on to begin the at-bat in the sixth courtesy of an error charged to the Jackson State (17-24, 6-10 SWAC) infield. After stealing second, Traylor was brought in via Desirae Martine's single to left field, tying the score at 2-2 at the time.
 
Essence Gibbs and Shania Owens each scored in the frame off another JSU error, as Jordyn Villanueva reached safely to push BCU out in front 4-2. The lead reached 6-2 in favor of the visitors when Ciera Clark tallied her second home run of the campaign with a towering shot to right field.
 
Haley Parks scored three plays later with centerfielder Jordyn Davis reaching base on the third Tigers error of the at-bat, allowing the Wildcats a 7-2 lead.
 
Bethune-Cookman added three insurance runs in the top of the seventh.
 
Samantha Kelley registered a two-run scoring single to right that drove in Essence Gibbs and Martinez, respectively, before scoring herself a play later off the end of a JSU error stemming from the Villanueva at-bat.
 
JSU third baseman Jalia Hubbard recorded a solo home run in the home-half of the inning before Cats reliever Victoria Guzman ended the threat to close out the win for the Maroon and Gold.
 
Halyne Gonzalez (11-11) earned the win by pitching four innings, allowing just two runs (one earned), walking four and producing four strikeouts. Guzman took the save – her second of the season, in tossing three frames and allowing just one run on a single hit and striking out three.
 
Jackson State's Marissa Medina was tagged with the loss.
 
BCU was led offensively by Kelley and Martinez with two hits each, while Villanueva and Clark joined both players with two RBIs apiece.
 
The two teams are scheduled to meet for the second game of the series Saturday at 1 p.m. CT, but weather is expected to play a factor on the day. Stay tuned to BCUathletics.com for updates.
 
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