TAMPA – The Bethune-Cookman University softball team will kick off its 2024 season on Thursday, Feb. 8, participating in the USF-Rawlings Invitational hosted by the University of South Florida in Tampa, Florida. The invitational opens a challenging 47-game regular season schedule under Head Coach Laura Watten who is set to begin her 17th season at the helm in Daytona Beach.
 
The USF-Rawlings Invitational will see Bethune-Cookman take part in five games across four days from Thursday through Sunday. The Wildcats will play teams from Illinois State, South Florida, Oregon State, Michigan and Florida, respectively.
 
B-CU is coming off a 19-31 season last year where the Cats finished second in the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Eastern Division with a league record of 15-9. The Wildcats will be led in the pitchers circle by SWAC Preseason Pitcher of the Year Halyne Gonzalez. Last season, Gonzalez registered an ERA of 2.87, including a 2.30 ERA against league opponents. At the plate, returning for the Cats is outfielder Joslynn Davis (.214 batting average), as well as Kallie Earlington (.198 batting average).
 
THE SCHEDULE
Thursday, Feb. 8
1:30 p.m. – vs. Illinois State | Live Stats | Tickets
6:30 p.m. – vs. South Florida | Live Stats | ESPN+ | Listen | Tickets
 
Friday, Feb. 9
12:30 p.m. – vs. Oregon State | Live Stats | Tickets
 
Saturday, Feb. 10
9 a.m. – vs. Michigan | Live Stats | Tickets
 
Sunday, Feb. 11
12 p.m. – vs. Florida | 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
▪ Halyne Gonzalez was named SWAC Preseason Pitcher of the Year two weeks ago, as voted on by league coaches and administrators.
▪ Junior outfielder Essence Gibbs was named to the SWAC Preseason Team, selected to the second team as a designated player.
▪ Three of the four pitchers working innings in the circle last season for the Maroon and Gold are back for the 2024 campaign, including Gonzalez, Alyssa Lopez and Ajah Mallary.
▪ The Cats lost their top four hitters in average from 2023, but have several newcomers set to make an impact for the program.
▪ Kayla Traylor joins the BCU staff as a graduate assistant coach after being the starting shortstop.
▪ Also new to the coaching staff is Abbey Cheek, former All-American standout performer from Kentucky.
▪ B-CU has added 11 newcomers to the roster for this season, including five transfers from either junior college or Division I institutions.
                                                                                                                                   
QUOTES FROM COACH WATTEN
"This is how you want to open a season. When you play against very good opposition to open the year, then you see exactly where you are right from the very start. You see what you need to work on immediately and test yourself against some of the best."
 
"We're excited to get the new season underway against teams like Illinois State, USF, Oregon State, Michigan and of course in-state opponent Florida. We have a good mix of veteran leadership and talented newcomers this year and we expect to be very competitive in the SWAC and make a run at the eastern division and tournament title. But in this league, it's always challenging and there are just some very good teams in the east and west."
 
"I am just happy to be back on the field and in the dugout too. It feels like it's been forever since the SWAC Tournament in Gulfport [Mississippi]. I know the team is ready. The coaching staff is ready. I'm ready. It's always a fun time of year kicking off a new season."
 
SCOUTING ILLINOIS STATE (30-22, 19-7 MVC)
Rankings: USA Today/NFCA Coaches – NR | ESPN.com/USA Softball – NR
Head Coach: Tina Kramos (24th season)
2023 Batting Average: .274; Runs Per Game: 5.0; Hits Per Game: 7.3; Slugging Percentage: .418
2023 ERA: 2.97; K/BB Ratio: 1.46; Opp. Batting Avg: .244
 
SCOUTING SOUTH FLORIDA (32-24, 10-7 AAC)
Rankings: USA Today/NFCA Coaches – NR | ESPN.com/USA Softball – NR
Head Coach: Ken Eriksen (27th season)
2023 Batting Average: .247; Runs Per Game: 3.9; Hits Per Game: 6.1; Slugging Percentage: .367
2023 ERA: 2.67; K/BB Ratio: 1.95; Opp. Batting Avg: .250
 
SCOUTING OREGON STATE (15-29-1, 6-17-1 PAC 12)
Rankings: USA Today/NFCA Coaches – NR | ESPN.com/USA Softball – NR
Head Coach: Laura Berg (11th season)
2023 Batting Average: .240; Runs Per Game: 2.8; Hits Per Game: 6.0; Slugging Percentage: .362
2023 ERA: 5.49; K/BB Ratio: 1.74; Opp. Batting Avg: .273
 
SCOUTING MICHIGAN (26-25, 10-13 Big Ten)
Rankings: USA Today/NFCA Coaches – NR | ESPN.com/USA Softball – NR
Head Coach: Bonnie Tholl (2nd season)
2023 Batting Average: .272; Runs Per Game: 4.0; Hits Per Game: 7.0; Slugging Percentage: .378
2023 ERA: 2.86; K/BB Ratio: 2.90; Opp. Batting Avg: .239
 
SCOUTING FLORIDA (38-22, 11-13 SEC)
Rankings: USA Today/NFCA Coaches – 17 | ESPN.com/USA Softball – 18
Head Coach: Tim Walton (19th season)
2023 Batting Average: .315; Runs Per Game: 6.4; Hits Per Game: 8.0; Slugging Percentage: .523
2023 ERA: 3.69; K/BB Ratio: 1.21; Opp. Batting Avg: .243
 
ADMISSIONS
Ticket packages and information for the event can be accessed here.
 
UP NEXT
Bethune-Cookman will visit Stetson for the Hatter Classic taking place February 16-18, in nearby DeLand, Florida. The Wildcats will take on teams from Creighton, Colgate and the host Stetson Hatters across the three-day classic.
 
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.