ORLANDO – Bethune-Cookman Softball will look to halt a 13-game losing skid this weekend as the Wildcats travel the short distance over to Orlando where they will compete in the Knights Classic hosted by the University of Central Florida at UCF Softball Complex. The action takes place March 1-3.
 
Once in Orlando, Bethune-Cookman will face teams from Kennesaw State, Princeton, South Carolina and the host UCF Knights across the three-day weekend event.
 
THE SCHEDULE
Friday, March 1
Noon – vs. Princeton | Live Stats | Tickets
 
Saturday, March 2
10 a.m. – vs. Kennesaw State | Live Stats | Tickets
3 p.m. – vs. No.22 South Carolina | Live Stats | Tickets
 
Sunday, March 3
1 p.m. – at UCF | ESPN+ | 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
▪ Head Coach Laura Watten needs just five wins to earn her 500th win at Bethune-Cookman, and 25 for her 800th career victory.
▪ BCU has dropped five games this year by a combined six runs.
▪ The Wildcats come into the weekend batting .175 as a team, while the staff ERA sits at 6.94 on the season.
▪ Junior right-hander Halyne Gonzalez has a team-leading 31 strikeouts in the pitcher's circle for the Wildcats.
▪ Newcomer Jessica Alaan has a team-leading two (2) multi-hit performances this year, while Essence Gibbs leads the team with a three-hit contest of her own on the season.
▪ Freshman left fielder Brooklyn Scott has reached base safely in her last eight games, while junior Joyce Bloome has reached in her last four outings. Both players enter the weekend on four-game hitting streaks.
▪ Grad student and catcher Thais Uyema is BCU's leader in batting average as the Lima, Peru native owns a .267 mark with eight hits and a pair of RBIs.
▪ After a 3-2 extra-inning win from Illinois State in the season opener, the Wildcats have slipped in 13 consecutive games since that victory. The Wildcats are 1-13 on the year coming into the Knights Classic.
 
QUOTES FROM COACH WATTEN
"I learned so much about our team over the last few weeks – our make-up, chemistry, mental toughness. But truthfully, I learned so much last weekend as we played in the Mary Nutter Classic out west. I keep telling them 'we're fine; believe in yourself' as we face so many good teams. And this weekend, the schedule only gets tougher against four more powerhouse programs over in Orlando."
 
"When you're in close games, you have to learn how to close the door and get the win. With so many new players, they're learning how to win. How to grab a lead late; how to keep a lead; and how to keep calm and stay poised even when things seem to be slipping away. They're learning that. But I tell you, once they have that taste of victory, and know how to unlock wins, then we're going to be a very good team."
 
"Just like opening the year at USF, when you go over to UCF, you have to be ready to play. They have so many good players, good coaches and they will test everything about you and your game right from the start. They won't give you anything. You'll have to earn it. And then you add teams like South Carolina, who's nationally ranked, into the mix with programs like Princeton and Kennesaw, then you're facing a powerful field. I mean, a POWERFUL quartet of games this weekend in Orlando."
 
"I say it every weekend because I mean it every weekend. This team is getting better and better every day at practice. I am just hoping they can put it together in a game all at the same time so they can taste that victory they work so hard for each and every day at Sunnyland [Park]. I am happy with this team, and I am happy with their growth. It's a tough growth, but one that's only going to help us get better as we progress through the season and get ready for SWAC play."
 
SCOUTING PRINCETON (4-0, 0-0 Ivy League)
Rankings: USA Today/NFCA Coaches – NR | ESPN.com/USA Softball – NR
Head Coach: Lisa Van Ackeren (12th season)
2024 Batting Average: .320; Runs Per Game: 7.3; Hits Per Game: 7.8; Slugging Percentage: .474
2024 ERA: 1.68; K/BB Ratio: 1.8; Opp. Batting Avg: .170
 
SCOUTING KENNESAW STATE (4-12, 0-0 ASUN)
Rankings: USA Today/NFCA Coaches – NR | ESPN.com/USA Softball – NR
Head Coach: Tripp Mackay (6th season)
2024 Batting Average: .207; Runs Per Game: 3.0; Hits Per Game: 5.4; Slugging Percentage: .275
2024 ERA: 4.38; K/BB Ratio: 2.6; Opp. Batting Avg: .1.76
 
SCOUTING SOUTH CAROLINA (13-2, 0-0 SEC)
Rankings: USA Today/NFCA Coaches – 22 | ESPN.com/USA Softball – 22
Head Coach: Beverly Smith (14th season)
2024 Batting Average: .299; Runs Per Game: 6.7; Hits Per Game: 7.7; Slugging Percentage: .461
2024 ERA: 1.73; K/BB Ratio: 2.8; Opp. Batting Avg: .177
 
SCOUTING UCF (8-6, 0-0 Big 12)
Rankings: USA Today/NFCA Coaches – NR | ESPN.com/USA Softball – NR
Head Coach: Cindy Ball-Malone (6th season)
2024 Batting Average: .325; Runs Per Game: 5.6; Hits Per Game: 9.0; Slugging Percentage: .451
2024 ERA: 3.03; K/BB Ratio: 2.5; Opp. Batting Avg: .264
 
ADMISSIONS
Ticket packages and information for the Knights Classic can be accessed here.
 
UP NEXT
Bethune-Cookman will enjoy its home opener of the 2024 season on Wednesday, March 6, when the Wildcats welcome North Dakota to Sunnyland Park in Daytona Beach. First pitch is set for 3 p.m.
 
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.