GULFPORT, Miss. – Essence Gibbs had two hits for Bethune-Cookman Tuesday morning, but it was Texas Southern claiming a 6-2 win in the opening game of the 2024 Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Tournament at Gulfport Sportsplex.
 
For the first time in school history, No. 3 seed Bethune-Cookman (East) was unable to secure a win against No. 2 seed Texas Southern (West), as the Wildcats entered the tournament 4-0 all-time against the Tigers.
 
Trailing 1-0 after the first inning, Bethune-Cookman (18-31) scored two to take the lead in the top of the second.
 
With the bases loaded and one away, senior right fielder Essence Gibbs delivered an RBI single up the middle to plate Briana Velazquez for the game-tying run. Pinch hitter Aysiah Gonzalez was hit by a pitch in the next at-bat to bring in Thais Uyema for the go-ahead score.
 
Texas Southern (21-17) answered with three runs in the bottom of the third to grab the lead once again, 4-2.
 
Tigers catcher Karisma Garcia doubled to left center bringing around Ja'Lynn Swiney to knot the game at 2-2. An Angel Morales RBI groundout scored Richardson. However, also coming in on the play was Garcia to boost the Tigers lead with the third run of the inning.
 
In the bottom of the fourth when a Swiney sacrifice fly to deep center moved in Madison Griggs. And Paris Johnson's single to left from the top of the order plated Jordan McClain to produce the final 6-2 margin.
 
BCU was unable to get base runners on in each of the final three innings.
 
The win was picked up by TXSO starter Maren Berger, moving her record to 8-5 on the year, as she went the distance in the circle allowing two runs on three hits, three walks and a strikeout. Halyne Gonzalez took the loss in falling to 12-16 on the year, as she went six innings on the rubber, giving up six runs (three earned) on eight hits and five strikeouts for the junior right-hander.
 
TXSO was led offensively by Richardson with a 2-for-3 showing at the dish and scoring a pair of runs for the Tigers.
 
BCU used a 2-for-4 effort offensively with an RBI. Jessica Alaan had the only other hit on the day for the Wildcats.
 
Bethune-Cookman will face the loser of Tuesday evening's Florida A&M vs. Arkansas-Pine Bluff game in an elimination game on Wednesday at 11:30 am ET.
 
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