CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. – Several Bethune-Cookman Softball student-athletes return home to the "Golden State" as the Wildcats take part in the Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic in Cathedral City, California. The annual event takes place February 22-25, and is traditionally one of the most prestigious collegiate events in the sport of softball.
 
In this year's field, BCU will face off against BYU, Oregon State, San Diego State, Cal State Northridge and Loyola Marymount, respectfully.
 
THE SCHEDULE
Thursday, Feb. 22
3 p.m. – vs. BYU | Flo Sports Live Stream ($) | Tickets
5:30 p.m. – vs. Oregon State | Flo Sports Live Stream ($) | Tickets
 
Friday, Feb. 23
6 p.m. – vs. San Diego State | Flo Sports Live Stream ($) | Tickets
 
Saturday, Feb. 24
12:30 p.m. – vs. Cal State Northridge | Flo Sports Live Stream ($) | Tickets
8 p.m. – vs. Loyola Marymount | Flo Sports Live Stream ($) | 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
▪ For the second time this season, Bethune-Cookman will meet PAC-12 opponent Oregon State as the two teams met just two weeks ago in Tampa.
▪ As a team, Bethune-Cookman is fourth in the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) in fielding percentage, as the Wildcats own a .955 average on the young season.
▪ Freshman infielder Jessica Alaan is currently 10th in the SWAC with a pair of doubles on the season. The Pomona, California native is also seventh in at-bats and 10th in sacrifice bunts.
▪ The Maroon and Gold have a total of 12 players from the "Golden State".
▪ In all, BCU has 11 total newcomers to the roster, not including Briana Velazquez that did not play last season, but was on the roster.
▪ Graduate student and newcomer Thais Uyema has been hit a league-leading five times this year. No other BCU players has been hit at the plate yet in 176 combined total at-bats.
▪ Uyema also leads the Wildcats in batting average (.278) and is second in hits (5).
▪ Junior transfer Angelina Badalament owns a 5.11 ERA for the season in five appearances, including one start, as the Plant City, Florida right-hander has five strikeouts.
▪ Bethune-Cookman has three losses of two runs or less this season, including a 3-2 setback to Michigan and a 3-2 defeat at the hands of Colgate in walk-off fashion last weekend in the Hatter Classic.
▪ Eight Wildcats have a perfect fielding percentage on the season, including Uyema, Alaan and centerfielder Joslynn Davis amongst others. Between the three players, they have a combined 65 putouts and 10 assists.
 
QUOTES FROM COACH WATTEN
"I love this tournament. This is one of the best tournaments in the country, and we are honored to once again be able to participate in this event. And to represent as an HBCU – that is a huge bonus for us to show what softball in the SWAC and HBCU is all about."
 
"We don't shy away from tough competition. We showed that the first week against some really good teams, and we're doing it again this week [weekend]. BYU, Oregon State, San Diego State, Cal State Northridge and Loyola Marymount are in some great leagues, and they have some really good players. This is another tough [weekend] for us, and I love that because it helps us get better."
 
"This team has so much heart and they play for each other. I enjoy watching the chemistry of this team and the camaraderie of them with one another. They have a different vibe from last year – and last year was great. But this year, they seem even more together than before, and that's really going to help later in this season, and at a tournament like the Mary Nutter Classic."
 
"It's always nice to have the team play in front of their families and friends. Whenever we come to California, the parents are just so excited to see us play, and they're always asking what we need and how they can help support us while we're there. The atmosphere is the best with all of their families in attendance and screaming for us. I love coming out here."
 
SCOUTING BYU (8-2, 0-0 Big 12)
Rankings: USA Today/NFCA Coaches – NR | ESPN.com/USA Softball – NR
Head Coach: Gordon Eakin (22nd season)
2024 Batting Average: .314; Runs Per Game: 7.3; Hits Per Game: 8.7; Slugging Percentage: .448
2024 ERA: 2.61; K/BB Ratio: 0.7; Opp. Batting Avg: .143
 
SCOUTING OREGON STATE (5-5, 0-0 PAC-12)
Rankings: USA Today/NFCA Coaches – NR | ESPN.com/USA Softball – NR
Head Coach: Laura Berg (11th season)
2024 Batting Average: .235; Runs Per Game: 3.5; Hits Per Game: 6.1; Slugging Percentage: .315
2024 ERA: 2.45; K/BB Ratio: 2.3; Opp. Batting Avg: .251
 
SCOUTING SAN DIEGO STATE (5-5, 0-0 MWC)
Rankings: USA Today/NFCA Coaches – NR | ESPN.com/USA Softball – NR
Head Coach: Stacey Nuveman Deniz (3rd season)
2024 Batting Average: .234; Runs Per Game: 3.8; Hits Per Game: 5.8; Slugging Percentage: .302
2024 ERA: 2.10; K/BB Ratio: 3.2; Opp. Batting Avg: .281
 
SCOUTING CAL STATE NORTHRIDGE (8-1, 0-0 Big West)
Rankings: USA Today/NFCA Coaches – NR | ESPN.com/USA Softball – NR
Head Coach: Charlotte Morgan (4th season)
2024 Batting Average: .291; Runs Per Game: 4.4; Hits Per Game: 7.1; Slugging Percentage: .364
2024 ERA: 2.10; K/BB Ratio: 1.6; Opp. Batting Avg: .259
 
SCOUTING LOYOLA MARYMOUNT (2-7, 0-0 WCC)
Rankings: USA Today/NFCA Coaches – NR | ESPN.com/USA Softball – NR
Head Coach: Tairia Flowers (3rd season)
2024 Batting Average: .235; Runs Per Game: 1.9; Hits Per Game: 5.1; Slugging Percentage: .332
2024 ERA: 4.58; K/BB Ratio: 1.4; Opp. Batting Avg: .278
 
ADMISSIONS
Ticket packages and information for the event can be accessed here.
 
UP NEXT
The Wildcats travel to Orlando for the Knights Classic hosted by UCF on Friday March 1. The event runs March 1-3, as BCU takes on teams from Princeton, Kennesaw State, South Carolina and the host UCF Knights.
 
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.