DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Joslynn Davius went 2-for-2 at the dish while Sofia Vallejos-Coleman saw her first action in over a month as Bethune-Cookman Softball fell 8-3 in nonconference midweek action at home to Memphis on Wednesday afternoon at Sunnyland Park.
 
With the game tied at 3-3 after four innings, Memphis (17-30) plated five runs in the top-half of the fifth to break the game open.
 
The visiting Tigers quickly got to Bethune-Cookman relief pitcher Alyssa Brady, hitting the sophomore right-hander for four (4) runs on three hits and a walk in one-third of an inning out of the bullpen in relief of starter Sofia Vallejos-Coleman.
 
After shortstop Ariel Davis walked and Zoe Adebayo doubled to left, centerfielder Drue Thomas broke the 3-3 deadlock with a sacrifice fly to right, scoring leadoff hitter Davis from third. An Aubrey Williams bunt single ensued to plate Adebayo, followed on the proceeding play by an RBI single from Kennedy Semien to the wall in left, pushing across Williams from first and propelling the Tigers to a 6-3 advantage.
 
Vallejos-Coleman returned to the circle in place of Brady with one away in the top of the sixth.
 
Memphis designated player Lyrical Bennett immediately made it 7-3 with her RBI double to left center, before pinch hitter Marley Maness crossed Presley Morris – pinch running for Bennett, with a single to shallow center, and putting the score at 8-3. Halyne Gonzalez would enter the game and finish it off in the pitcher's circle for the Maroon and Gold.
 
After the Tigers scored two in the top of the first, Bethune-Cookman (19-27) answered appropriately in the bottom-half of the frame with a pair of runs to knot the game at 2-2.
 
Back-to-back singles at the top from Joslynn Davis and Joyce Bloome put two aboard, allowing for Kendall Macauley to sacrifice both runners up a base. Senior shortstop Briana Velazquez drove in Davis with an RBI groundout to short, halving the lead, 2-1. Bloome scored off the end of a wild pitch from Memphis starter Jericho Tate – whom, much like Vallejos-Coleman for B-CU, was seeing her first action in more than a month for the visitors.
 
The Tigers stepped ahead once again in the top of the third when Adebayo recorded a two-out RBI double to left center, scoring Davis and putting her side up, 3-2.
 
Bethune-Cookman once again answered in the fourth inning off the end of a Molly Blackwood sac fly to left that was deep enough for Macauley to race in from third and tie things at 3-3 after the second baseman singled in her at-bat to leadoff for the Wildcats.
 
Tate earned the win in the circle for Memphis, moving her to 3-6 on the year, as she worked five innings, allowing three runs (two earned) on four hits and two strikeouts. Taniyah Brown and Rylee Dugar each saw an inning of work in relief efforts, registering two scoreless innings with four walks combined. The loss went to B-CU's Brady (1-2), while Vallejos-Coleman went 5.1 innings with four runs allowed on seven hits and two strikeouts. Halyne Gonzalez went 1.1 innings, giving up just one hit and striking out a batter.
 
The Memphis offense was paced by Adebayo who was 3-for-4 with two runs and two RBIs, followed by Williams and Davis with two hits apiece.
 
The B-CU bats were led by Davius with her 2-for-2 afternoon, adding a run as well. Bloome and Macauley added the other two hits, respectfully, on the day for the Wildcats.
 
The Cats now turn their attention to a big Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) showdown on the weekend as Jackson State visits Sunnyland Park with SWAC Tournament implications on the line for the three-game series which kicks off Friday, April 25, at 5 p.m.
 
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