ITTA BENA, Miss. – Three different players had multi-hit performances Monday afternoon as Bethune-Cookman Softball completed a series sweep of Mississippi Valley State with an 8-5 decision in Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) play at MVSU Softball Field. For the Wildcats, it is now four wins on the trot.
 
Bethune-Cookman (5-16, 3-0 SWAC) jumped up 1-0 in the top of the first inning.
 
With the bases loaded and one away, shortstop Briana Velazquez reached on a fielder's choice, bringing in Essence Gibbs from third for the game's opening run.
 
The Wildcats extended their lead to 3-0 in the next frame.
 
After centerfielder Joslynn Davis reached on an error – one of seven credited to the hosts, Joyce Bloome lined a single past the glove of Ashantia Stephens at third, putting runners on the corners for the Wildcats and two out. Bloome swiped second for her fourth stolen base of the year before both her and the BCU centerfielder Davis would come across to score on another Delta Devilettes error.
 
Three additional runs were put on the board by the Maroon and Gold in the top of the fourth as first baseman Kallie Earlington singled to lead off the frame, followed three batters later by a Gibbs sacrifice bunt to plate Earlington from third. Jessica Alaan's single to shallow left crossed Davis for the 5-0 BCU advantage. And the lead became 6-0 with Kendall Macauley's double off the wall in left, bringing in Alaan and giving the transfer from North Carolina A&T her fourth extra-base hit of the season.
 
The Wildcats would go on to plate two insurances runs in the top of the fifth to make it 8-0.
 
Mississippi Valley State (2-14, 0-3 SWAC) trimmed the lead at 8-2 in the home-half of the fifth.
 
An India Ivy triple to left scored teammate Allen for the first Delta Devilettes run of the game, while the MVSU designated player came in to score herself courtesy a BCU error.
 
MVSU tacked on three runs in the sixth when catcher Kaitlyn Harper's single kicked off a two-out rally for the Delta Devilettes. Aulora Edwards followed with a run-scoring double down the line in left. And a wild pitch from Bethune-Cookman reliever Alyssa Lopez allowed Harper to score before a Wildcats error was the reason for Edwards coming across home plate herself.
 
Junior pitcher Angelina Badalament would earn her first save of the year pitching the seventh inning, allowing just one hit and collecting a strikeout to close out the game.
 
The MVSU bats used a 2-for-3 day from Harper to lead the Delta Devilettes offensively.
 
For BCU, the Wildcats were paced at the plate by three different players turning in two hits on the day with Alaan, Earlington and Macauley each posting a 2-for-4 contest.
 
The win was collected by BCU starter Halyne Gonzalez (4-8) as she went 4.1 innings in the circle, allowing two runs (one earned) on three hits and five strikeouts. Lopez worked 1.2 innings out of the bullpen for the Cats as well. The loss went to MVSU starter Maya Rameriez (1-4), as she went the distance on the rubber for the Delta Devilettes, being tagged for eight runs (four earned) on nine hits and a strikeout.
 
With the MVSU series being moved back two days, Bethune-Cookman's contest with Marist has now been pushed back as well. The Wildcats will now host the Foxes to Sunnyland Park in Daytona Beach for a doubleheader on Wednesday, March 13, beginning at 10 a.m.
 
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