DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Bethune-Cookman Softball took both legs of a Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) doubleheader Saturday afternoon as the Wildcats claimed the first game 5-1, followed by a 4-3 comeback victory in the nightcap to take the three-game series from Florida A&M at Sunnyland Park in Daytona Beach, Florida.
 
B-CU 5, FAMU 1
Bethune-Cookman capitalized on a strong pitching performance from senior All-SWAC Preseason selection Halyne Gonzalez and timely hitting to defeat Florida A&M 5-1 in the opening game of a Saturday SWAC doubleheader at Sunnyland Park.
 
Bethune-Cookman (9-20, 2-2 SWAC) jumped out to an early lead and never looked back, scoring all five of their runs in the first three innings to help even the series after falling in Feriday's opener. Florida A&M (7-15, 3-2 SWAC) struggled to convert their opportunities, stranding nine runners despite collecting eight hits.
 
The Wildcats wasted no time getting on the scoreboard, plating two runs in the bottom of the first inning.
 
After third baseman Shania Owens led off with a single and advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt and groundout, the Inglewood, California native stole home for the game's first run. Kendall Macauley, who had reached on a walk, came around to score on Aysiah Gonzalez's single to right field, giving B-CU a 2-0 advantage.
 
After a scoreless second inning, Bethune-Cookman added three more runs in the third to extend its lead to 5-0.
 
Macauley singled and scored on Joyce Bloome's double to left center. Wildcats shortstop Briana Velazquez then drove in a run with a groundout, and pinch hitter Molly Blackwood delivered an RBI single to cap the inning's scoring.
 
Florida A&M's lone run came in the fourth inning when Aniya Canty tripled to right center and scored on Ciara Maple's groundout to second base.
 
Samantha Smith (1-1) took the loss for the Rattlers, allowing five runs on seven hits in two-plus innings of work. Amari Brown provided solid relief, tossing four scoreless innings while allowing just three hits.
 
For the Rattlers, Jamison Townsend led the way with a 2-for-4 performance, while Canty's triple and subsequent run represented their only scoring of the game. Braxtyn Battle and Brianna Duggins each added doubles for FAMU.
 
Halyne Gonzalez (6-13) went six strong innings for the Wildcats, allowing just one run on seven hits while striking out four and walking two. Classmate Alyssa Lopez came on in relief and pitched a scoreless seventh inning to secure the victory, allowing just one hit and recording one strikeout.
 
Offensively, B-CU was led by Owens, Bloome and Aysiah Gonzalez each contributing key hits. Owens finished 2-for-4 with a run scored and two stolen bases, while Bloome went 2-for-3 with a double, an RBI and a run scored. Gonzalez added an RBI single in the first inning.
 
 
B-CU 4, FAMU 3
Molly Blackwood's pinch-hit, three-run double capped an incredible four-run sixth inning as Bethune-Cookman rallied to defeat Florida A&M 4-3 on Saturday afternoon, completing a doubleheader sweep of their SWAC rivals at Sunnyland Park.
 
Bethune-Cookman (10-20, 3-2 SWAC) appeared headed for a split – and series setback – after visiting Florida A&M built a 3-0 lead through six innings.
 
Alyssa Lopez (4-3) earned the complete-game victory for the Maroon and Gold, scattering six hits while striking out six Rattlers over seven innings. The senior right-hander and current SWAC Pitcher of the Week allowed just one earned run in the contest.
 
"This was the definition of a team win," said Bethune-Cookman Head Coach Laura Watten. "When you're down to your final six outs and haven't generated much offense all day, it would be easy to fold. But this group showed tremendous heart and resilience."
 
The decisive sixth inning began innocently enough with left fielder Emma Bradley-Tse reaching base on a dropped fly ball by FAMU left fielder Neriah Lee. After Shania Owens flew out in foul territory, senior centerfielder Joslynn Davis singled to third base, pushing Bradley-Tse into scoring position. Kendall Macauley then reached on a fielding error by FAMU shortstop Amari Brown to load the bases with one out.
 
With the Wildcats desperately needing a spark, Coach Watten called on freshman Molly Blackwood to pinch-hit for designated player Aysiah Gonzalez. The rookie delivered the biggest hit of her young collegiate career, driving a 3-2 pitch from Hughes to center field. Blackwood's double cleared the bases, with all three runners scoring on the play as she advanced to third on the throw home.
 
Jessica Alaan followed with another double to left-center field, driving in Blackwood with what proved to be the game-winning run. All four B-CU runs were unearned due to the two FAMU errors in the inning.
 
The late dramatics overshadowed a strong pitching performance from Hughes (3-6), who allowed just four hits over six innings. The FAMU right-hander didn't walk a batter or record a strikeout, but rather induced numerous ground ball outs after Owens' leadoff single to begin the game.
 
Florida A&M (7-16, 3-3 SWAC) had built its lead methodically throughout the contest.
 
The Rattlers broke through in the third inning when Kiauna Watson reached on an error by the Wildcats infield and eventually scored on another error. Jamison Townsend followed with an RBI single, plating Ciara Maple to give FAMU a 2-0 advantage. The visitors added what appeared to be an insurance run in the sixth inning when Watson delivered a two-out RBI single, plating Aniya Canty who had reached base after being hit by a pitch.
 
The run pushed the lead to 3-0 before Bethune-Cookman's dramatic comeback.
 
Lopez showed tremendous poise in the seventh inning, retiring the Rattlers in order to secure the victory. After Lee fouled out to left field, Lopez struck out Townsend looking and induced Brown to ground out to third base for the final out.
 
B-CU will enjoy the week off before hosting Mississippi Valley State to Sunnyland Park for a three-game SWAC series beginning Friday, March 21, at 5 p.m.
 
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