MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Bethune-Cookman Softball faces another tough test this weekend when traveling to face off against Alabama State in a three-game Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) series taking place at Barbara Williams Softball Complex in Montgomery, Alabama. The series begins with a single game on Friday, March 28, at 6 p.m. ET (5 p.m. CT), followed by a Saturday doubleheader at 2 p.m. ET (1 p.m. CT).
 


Friday, March 28
6 p.m. ET – at Alabama State | Live Stats | Watch | Tickets
 
Saturday, March 29
2 p.m. ET – at Alabama State | Live Stats | Watch | Tickets
4:30 p.m. ET – at Alabama State | Live Stats | Watch | 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 X/Twitter.
 


▪ Halyne Gonzalez was named this week's SWAC Co-Pitcher of the Week, while Emma Bradley-Tse was tabbed SWAC Co-Newcomer of the Week.
▪ Shania Owens is third in the SWAC in stolen bases (17). Joslynn Davis is fifth (16) and Emma Bradley-Tse is seventh (14).
▪ Senior pitcher Alyssa Lopez is currently seventh in the league in ERA (3.10).
▪ Bradley-Tse enters the weekend seventh in the league in fielding percentage as well, sporting a .986 mark on the campaign.
▪ As a team, the Wildcats have more stolen bases (70) than opponents have attempts (64).
▪ Four Wildcats are batting .275 or better – Davis (.320), Bradley -Tse (.310), Owens (.299) and India Stokes (.289).
▪ When scoring in the opening inning, Bethune-Cookman holds a record of 7-2.
▪ Owens enters the weekend riding a career-long 11-game hit streak, while Davis is in the midst of a nine-game hit streak.
 


▪ Bethune-Cookman holds a 15-9 edge all-time in the series that began back in 1998.
▪ The Wildcats won the first six games of the series, including a three-game nonconference series in Daytona Beach back in 2001, as well as a doubleheader sweep at Sunnyland Park in 2006.
▪ Alabama State has won the last three meetings, respectfully, which includes a 4-1 elimination game in last season's SWAC Tournament in Gulfport, Mississippi.
▪ The Hornets took two of three from the Cats in Montgomery last season, while B-CU claimed two in the season's first meeting in Daytona Beach.
▪ Only eight games in the series have been shutouts (B-CU owns six of those in victorious fashion).
▪ Since joining the SWAC, B-CU leads the series, 9-7.
 

HEAD COACH LAURA WATTEN
"Whenever you face an Alabama State team, you are going up against a team that is going to be physically strong, as well as mentally tough. They are a program that's been solid in this league for so many years, and Camise [Patterson] is continuing that in her first year up in Montgomery. But she's also bringing that FAMU style with her and incorporating that into the physical nature of a typical ASU team. That's a scary combination for any opponent."
 
"We were able to get some confidence last weekend with our first series sweep of the year and doing it at home was also refreshing. Now, we have to lock in once again, as road games in this league are so, so important. And this series means a lot this year because we only play Alabama State once during the regular season. So, this series could determine a lot for seeding or even playing in the SWAC Tournament in May."
 
"The pitching staff all did a great job last weekend, and we never once had to go to the bullpen. That was impressive, as it showed the stamina, mental toughness and overall ability for each pitcher to perform in their given game and get out of any jams or difficult spots. They each did their job. It was effective and they never got down if something went off script. I think that is what impressed me the most about the pitching staff against Mississippi Valley [State] last weekend."
 
"Well, it's going to be a fresh change this weekend because we haven't been away from Sunnyland [Park] in eight games. Getting back to the road is a different type of challenge when you don't have those big home crowds supporting you like we've enjoyed the last two weekends in Daytona Beach. And, like I said, Alabama State is a tough place to go and play, especially when they're going to be hungry to get back on winning ground."
 

ALABAMA STATE HORNETS (5-26, 3-6 SWAC)
Rankings: USA Today/NFCA Coaches – NR | ESPN.com/USA Softball – NR
Head Coach: Camise Patterson (1st season)
2025 Batting Average: .246; Runs Per Game: 3.6; Hits Per Game: 6.3; Slugging Percentage: .315
2025 ERA: 7.94; K/BB Ratio: 0.33; Opp. Batting Avg: .360
 

RECAPPING B-CU'S LAST GAME (vs. Mississippi Valley State)
Alyssa Brady tossed a complete-game shutout as Bethune-Cookman defeated Mississippi Valley State 8-0 in five innings in the second game of a SWAC Softball doubleheader at Sunnyland Park in Daytona Beach.
 
Bethne-Cookman wasted no time establishing control, pushing across three runs in the first inning. Senior third baseman Shania Owens led off with a walk and promptly stole second base. After classmate Joslynn Davis reached on a bunt single, Owens executed an aggressive steal of home to open the scoring. Following a walk to right fielder Joyce Bloome and first baseman Kendall Macauley, senior shortstop Briana Velazquez delivered a two-run single up the middle to make it 3-0 in favor of the Maroon and Gold.
 
The Wildcats added two more runs in the second inning.
 
Owens singled and stole both second and third base before Davis drew a walk and stole second. Bloome then drove both runners home with a single up the middle, extending the lead to 5-0, respectfully.
 
After a scoreless third inning, the Wildcats capitalized on two Mississippi Valley State errors in the fourth to plate two unearned runs. Left fielder Emma Bradley-Tse singled and advanced to third after a pair of throwing errors by Delta Devilettes shortstop Hillary Victor. Bradley-Tse would later score on Davis' groundout, and Owens, who had reached on an error, came home on a groundout by Bloome.
 
The game ended via the run-rule in the fifth inning when India Stokes, running for Jessica Alaan who had been hit by a pitch, stole second base, advanced to third on a popup, and scored on a wild pitch by MVSU starter Karis Robinson.
 
Owens led the charge with three steals, including a steal of home, while Davis added two stolen bases.
 
Offensively, B-CU collected seven hits, with Bloome driving in a team-high three runs. Velazquez added two RBIs, while Owens crossed the plate three times in the victory.
 
Mississippi Valley State's offense was limited throughout, with their best scoring opportunity coming in the fifth inning when third baseman MyKaila Fleming doubled, and centerfielder Jade Smith walked with nobody out. However, B-CU sophomore Brady induced a sacrifice bunt followed by an inning-ending double play to preserve the shutout.
 
Brady was masterful in the circle, scattering just three hits over five innings while walking one and striking out two. She needed only 71 pitches to complete the run-rule shortened contest.
 


Another week without midweek action allows Bethune-Cookman to recover before returning home to Sunnyland Park where the Wildcats will host SWAC opponent Alabama A&M for a three-game series taking place April 4-5.