GULFPORT, Miss. – Bethune-Cookman Softball ended the 2023 season Friday morning, as the Wildcats fell to No. 4 seed Alcorn State (Western Division) in an elimination game of the Southwestern Athletic Conference Tournament at Gulfport Sportsplex. The game continued from Thursday evening when the game was halted in the top of the third inning due to inclement weather.
 
A true pitcher's duel saw a pair of right-handers in the form of Bethune-Cookman's Halyne Gonzalez and Alcorn's Kiri Parker go toe-to-toe Friday morning in one of the lowest-scoring games of the tournament.
 
Alcorn scored the only run of the game in the top of the second inning.
 
Alonah Felton reached on a fielder's choice, while teammate Kiri Parker delivered a two-out double down the left field line. Felton, the Braves catcher, would come in to score on a wild pitch credited to Gonzalez.
 
Bethune-Cookman would threaten in the bottom of the fifth with a Kayla Traylor single but couldn't push the graduate shortstop across to even the score.
 
In the bottom of the seventh, the Wildcats threatened again with runners on first and second, but a deep fly ball to center field ended the contest.
 
The win was collected by Alcorn's Parker, as she went the complete game to up her record at 8-11 for the season. She scattered just four hits and struck out five in the victory. Meanwhile, the loss went to BCU sophomore and All-SWAC First Team pitcher Gonzalez to finish her 2023 season with a record of 15-15 in the circle for the Maroon and Gold. She went the distance allowing just one run on five hits and tallying a game-high seven strikeouts.
 
The Braves were led offensively by left fielder Kennedy Terry with a 2-for-3 effort at the plate.
 
Four different Wildcats had hits on the day, including pinch hitter Samantha Kelley with a 1-for-1 showing in a clutch performance at the bottom of the seventh inning. Traylor ended her career with the Maroon and Gold with a hit, as well as first baseman Ciera Clark and centerfielder Joslynn Davis.