DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Shania Owens led Bethune-Cookman offensively with two hits Friday evening, but it wasn't enough as visiting Florida A&M claimed a 7-3 victory in the first of a three-game Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) series at Sunnyland Park.
 
Florida A&M (7-14, 3-1 SWAC) was led by designated player Delacia DeLeslin, who delivered a bases-clearing triple in the third inning that broke open what had been a scoreless game. Starting pitcher Zoryana Hughes went the distance, allowing just four hits and three runs (one earned) while striking out three to improve her record to 3-5 on the season.
 
Both teams were held scoreless through the first two innings before FAMU's offense erupted in the third.
 
After Kiauna Watson struck out to begin the frame, centerfielder Ciara Maple singled at the top of the order to center field. Neriah Lee and Jamison Townsend then drew consecutive walks to load the bases. DeLeslin capitalized with a triple to right field that cleared the bases. Shortstop Amari Brown followed with an RBI single to push the lead to 4-0 and chase Bethune-Cookman starter Halyne Gonzalez from the game.
 
The Rattlers added another run in the fourth inning when Keeleigh Spooner was hit by a pitch, advanced to third on Neriah Lee's single, and scored on Jamison Townsend's single to center field. Lee was thrown out attempting to score on the play, keeping the score at 5-0.
 
FAMU extended its lead in the sixth inning with two more runs.
 
Rattlers third baseman Aniya Canty scored on pinch hitter Braxtyn Battle's sacrifice fly, and Spooner crossed the plate on a fielding error by Wildcats second baseman Jessica Alaan.
 
Bethune-Cookman (8-20, 1-2 SWAC) finally broke through on Hughes in the bottom of the sixth when Shania Owens walked, advanced to second on a groundout, and stole home to make it 7-1.
 
B-CU added two more runs in the seventh inning when senior shortstop Briana Velazquez reached on an error and later scored along with pinch hitter Alana Cypress, both runs crossing on Owens' single and a subsequent throwing error.
 
Halyne Gonzalez took the loss for Bethune-Cookman, falling to 5-13 on the season after allowing four earned runs on five hits and three walks in just 2.1 innings of action in the circle.
 
The Rattlers' attack featured nine hits, with Brown, Townsend and Ciara Maple each collecting multiple hits.
 
Owens led The Wildcats offense, going 2-for-3 with an RBI and two stolen bases.
 
The two teams meet back at Sunnyland Park for the conclusion of the series with a doubleheader on Saturday beginning at 1 p.m.
 
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