JACKSON, Miss. – Emma Bradley-Tse was perfect at the plate while Alyssa Lopez earned a win in the pitcher's circle Saturday afternoon helping Bethune-Cookman even a Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Softball series away to Jackson State courtesy a 5-4 victory in the first game of an originally scheduled doubleheader at JSU Softball Field. The second game of the day's doubleheader was halted in the top of the seventh inning due to weather, with more details about continuing the game to be announced in the coming weeks.
 
Bethune-Cookman (7-18, 1-1 SWAC) used senior third baseman Shanai Owens to help the Wildcats rally from a 3-2 deficit and plate three runs in the top of the sixth inning. Owens doubled to center field to drive in India Stokes and Briana Velazquez as part of a three-run outburst that gave Bethune-Cookman a 5-3 advantage.
 
Alyssa Lopez (3-3) earned the victory in the circle for the Wildcats, allowing three runs (two earned) on four hits while striking out six in six innings worked. Halyne Gonzalez secured her first save of the season despite allowing an unearned run in the seventh.
 
Right fielder Ka'Liyah Gipson played big for Jackson State (11-9, 1-1 SWAC), scoring three of the Tigers four runs while stealing three bases. Jace Jackson went 3-for-3 with a double and a run scored in the losing effort.
 
The teams traded runs in the first inning before JSU took a 3-1 lead with a two-run third.
 
The Wildcats narrowed the gap with a run in the fifth when left fielder Emma Bradley-Tse singled, stole second, and later scored in working a double-steal alongside teammate Joslynn Davis.
 
That brought the visitors to within 3-2.
 
Bethune-Cookman's decisive sixth inning began with a walk to shortstop Velazquez followed by a single from Stokes. After two quick outs, Owens delivered her clutch double to put the Wildcats ahead for good. Bradley-Tse and Davis followed with consecutive singles to add an insurance run.
 
The Tigers brought a run back in the home-half of the seventh, scoring once on an error and putting two runners on base before B-CU's Halyne Gonzalez induced a pop-up from Gabrielle Willis to end the game.
 
Sofia Gonzalez (4-3) took the complete-game loss for JSU, allowing five earned runs while failing to record a strikeout.
 
The Wildcats take to the diamond again Wednesday, March 12, when playing host to the Bryant Bulldogs for a nonconference doubleheader at Sunnyland Park in Daytona Beach, Florida. First pitch of game one is scheduled for 3 p.m.
 
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