DeLAND, Fla. – Bethune-Cookman Softball heads into the second weekend of the 2024 season this weekend as the Wildcats take the short trip across Volusia County to Stetson to compete in the Hatter Classic. The three-day event takes place February 16-18 at Patricia Wilson Field.
 
Once in DeLand, the Cats will face teams from Colgate, Creighton and the host Stetson Hatters, respectively.
 
With inclement weather expected to move into the Volusia County area throughout the weekend, stay tuned to BCUathletics.com for any and all schedule updates.
 
THE SCHEDULE
Friday, Feb. 16
9:30 a.m. – vs. Creighton | Live Stats | Tickets
Noon – vs. Colgate | Live Stats | Tickets
 
Saturday, Feb. 17
8 a.m. – vs. Colgate | Live Stats | Tickets
3 p.m. – at Stetson | Live Stats | Tickets
 
Sunday, Feb. 18
12:30 p.m. – at Stetson | Watch | Live Stats | Tickets
 
SOCIAL MEDIA
Keep up with everything Bethune-Cookman Softball this season by following the Wildcats social media platforms. You can follow @BCUSoftball on Instagram and @BCUSoftball on Twitter.
 
STATS & NOTES
▪ After a solid weekend and a season-opening win from Illinois State, Bethune-Cookman junior Halyne Gonzalez was named Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Pitcher of the Week.
▪ Despite a tough 3-2 setback to Michigan last weekend, the Wildcats held the hard-hitting Wolverines to just three hits during the game. Michigan would later go on to defeat No. 17 Florida to conclude the weekend.
▪ Jessica Alaan, one of several newcomers to this year's squad, led BCU with three hits in the USF-Rawlings Invitational, adding two runs as well.
▪ Playing as both a pitcher and first baseman for the Maroon and Gold, junior Angelina Badalament – now in her first season with the program, produced 12 putouts and one assist in 13 total chances over the weekend. In the pitcher's circle, she was 0-1, but collected one strikeout in 4.1 innings of work.
▪ Bethune-Cookman used six total pitchers last weekend, including newcomers Sofia Vallejos-Coleman, Joyce Bloome and Badalament, respectively.
▪ Playing in her first season with the Wildcats, graduate student Thais Uyema was steady behind the dish at the catcher position, while also recording two hits in seven at-bats to go along with a run scored. She has an OPS average of .831 coming into the Hatter Classic.
▪ BCU enters the weekend 0-3 all-time against Creighton; 2-1 against Colgate; and Stetson leads the series 63-23 against the Cats.
▪ Bloome batted at the leadoff spot for the Wildcats last weekend, using a hit and an RBI to go along with a sacrifice bunt in 11 at-bats.
 
QUOTES FROM COACH WATTEN
"We learned a lot about ourselves – both as a team and coaching staff, last weekend in Tampa. We saw some really good teams – all of whom could be in an [NCAA] Regional at the end of the season. But we learned a lot against the caliber of teams we played, and it's only going to help us as we continue a challenging schedule ahead."
 
"I saw some things we can improve upon, of course. But I also saw some things I really liked as well. I loved that we kept fighting, kept our energy high – even in some tough outcomes and situations. Everyone was supporting their teammate(s), and that was so inspiring to see. Everyone playing for each other and the team, as a whole."
 
"This weekend is another great test for our young team. You look at a team like Creighton that hits well, pitches well and won't do anything to hurt themselves. Colgate is a team a lot like us where they play really strong teams to prepare for their own league later in the season. And, of course, Stetson is Stetson. They're always a top program with great coaches and great athletes."
 
SCOUTING COLGATE (1-4, 0-0 PATRIOT)
Rankings: USA Today/NFCA Coaches – NR | ESPN.com/USA Softball – NR
Head Coach: Marissa Lamison-Myers (7th season)
2024 Batting Average: .143; Runs Per Game: 2.8; Hits Per Game: 3.0; Slugging Percentage: .267
2024 ERA: 8.81; K/BB Ratio: 0.7; Opp. Batting Avg: .143
 
SCOUTING CREIGHTON (3-2, 0-0 BIG EAST)
Rankings: USA Today/NFCA Coaches – NR | ESPN.com/USA Softball – NR
Head Coach: Krista Wood (2nd season)
2024 Batting Average: .185; Runs Per Game: 2.6; Hits Per Game: 4.6; Slugging Percentage: .218
2024 ERA: 2.12; K/BB Ratio: 2.9; Opp. Batting Avg: .164
 
SCOUTING STETSON (0-5, 0-0 A-SUN)
Rankings: USA Today/NFCA Coaches – NR | ESPN.com/USA Softball – NR
Head Coach: Shellie Cousins (3rd season)
2024 Batting Average: .210; Runs Per Game: 3.2; Hits Per Game: 5.2; Slugging Percentage: .306
2024 ERA: 4.88; K/BB Ratio: 2.1; Opp. Batting Avg: .353
 
ADMISSIONS
Ticket packages and information for the event can be accessed here.
 
UP NEXT
Bethune-Cookman travels to the west coast for the annual Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic in Cathedral City, California. The Wildcats will take part in what is one of the most prestigious collegiate softball events every year taking place February 22-24.
 
FOLLOW THE WILDCATS
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.