DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Bethune-Cookman Softball surrendered three runs in the seventh inning Sunday afternoon, allowing visiting Alabama State to capture a 4-3 come-from-behind victory in the series finale between the two sides at Sunnyland Park. BCU collected the series win a day prior with a walk-off extra inning win.
 
Despite the loss, Bethune-Cookman sits atop the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) tied alongside Alabama State and Florida A&M, respectfully. However, the Wildcats have the head-to-head series wins thus far against both the Hornets and Rattlers midway through the conference campaign.
 
Trailing 3-1 in the top of the seventh, Alabama State (19-16, 8-4 SWAC) started the frame with a leadoff single by shortstop Alana Scott, followed two plays later with a single from Brooke Ramsey. After the bases became loaded with two outs, centerfielder Kindall DeRamus singled to left at the top of the order to plate Scott and Ramsey for the tying runs. The winning run came in on the same play in the form of pinch runner JaNiyah Boykin, courtesy an error by the Wildcats outfield, putting the Hornets up 4-3.
 
ASU scored in the top of the first inning with DeRamus coming in on a wild pitch from Bethune-Cookman starting pitcher Halyne Gonzalez. DeRamus singled to begin the game, eventually stealing second and advancing to third on a sacrifice bunt.
 
Bethune-Cookman (10-24, 8-4 SWAC) tied things up in the home-half of the third with a Carrington Robinson single up the middle to drive in Shania Owens.
 
BCU stepped in front, 2-1 in the bottom of the fourth as Owens drew a bases-loaded walk allowing catcher Jordyn Villanueva to score.
 
The Wildcats lead swelled to 3-1 in the home-half of the fifth.
 
Carrington Robinson singled and advanced on an error to lead off the at-bat for the Maroon and Gold. She scored a play later with an RBI groundout from Kayla Traylor.
 
The win was collected by ASU reliever Olivia Brown, moving her record to 5-2 for the season. She went two innings in the circle, allowing one unearned run on three hits. The save went to Bailey Greenlee, her second of the year, as she pitched the seventh.
 
The loss went to BCU relief pitcher Victoria Guzman (2-10).
 
The Hornets were led offensively by DeRamus with a 2-for-4 afternoon, adding a run and two RBIs.
 
BCU was charged by a 3-for-3 day by Robinson, as she also scored one and drove in another. Essence Gibbs was 2-for-3 at the dish for the Cats as well.
 
Bethune-Cookman returns to action Friday, April 7, when the Cats travel to Itta Bena, Mississippi to face Mississippi Valley State for a three-game league series which begins with a Friday doubleheader.
 
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