DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Kendall Macauley and Shania Owens combined for four hits, while Alyssa Lopez had a strong showing in the pitcher's circle for Bethune-Cookman on Friday afternoon as the Wildcats opened a three-game Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Softball series with a 9-1 win at home over visiting Alabama A&M at Sunnyland Park.
 
Bethune-Cookman (14-23, 7-5 SWAC) gave senior pitcher Alyssa Lopez room to work opening the game with four runs in the bottom of the opening frame.
 
Shania Owens, a senior third baseman from Inglewood, California, led off with a double to the wall in left center – her fourth of the season, before stealing third and eventually coming home off the end of a wild pitch from Alabama A&M starter Susanna Cruit to make it 1-0 to the hosts. Kendall Macauley followed with her first triple of the season, allowing shortstop Briana Velazquez to plate the Wildcats first baseman with a two-out single to right, pushing the lead to 2-0.
 
After Jessica Alaan walked to load the bases, designated player Aysiah Gonzalez lifted a fly ball to deep center field, but it was dropped by the Bulldogs Dakota Daniel, allowing B-CU's Alaan and Velazquez to score unearned and advance the Wildcats lead, 4-0.
 
The Cats added to the lead in the bottom of the fourth when right fielder Joyce Bloome scored from second after walking earlier in the at-bat. Bloome would eventually score courtesy an error charged to AAMU third baseman Paula Ocrospoma, and the Maroon and Gold lead was advanced to 5-0.
 
Alabama A&M (15-18, 6-7 SWAC) got on the board in the top of the fifth as the Bulldogs' Daniel tripled and scored on the play when a relay from the outfield sailed wide of Owens at third, allowing the centerfielder to come all the way around on the play and bring her side to within 5-1.
 
In the home-half of the fifth, B-CU plated four runs to put the run-rule into effect.
 
Pinch hitter and freshman Molly Blackwood laced a run-scoring single to center that brought around Velazquez for the first run of the Wildcats at-bat. Bloome would reach safely on the ensuing play when a throw to first was dropped by the Bulldogs Tori Green covering first on the bunt allowing Alaan to cross from second to make it 7-1 in favor of the Cats.
 
The second double of the day by Owens sealed the victory as she punched a ball to the wall in straightaway centerfield scoring Bloome and Blackwood, respectfully, and giving B-CU the 9-1 final decision.
 
The win went to Lopez in the circle for the Maroon and Gold upping her record at 6-4 on the year. The Fontana, California native worked 4.2 innings, allowing just one unearned run and scattering four hits with four strikeouts and a walk. Halyne Gonzalez came in to finish the top of the fifth, throwing just three pitches in collecting the final out.
 
The loss went to the Bulldogs' Cruit who evened her record at 1-1 for the season, as she tossed four innings, giving up six runs (three earned) on five hits, four walks and two strikeouts.
 
The Bulldogs were paced offensively by four batters with a hit apiece, including Daniel who was 1-for-3 with a run scored. B-CU was led at the dish by Owens with a 2-for-4 game – both hits going for extra bases, two RBIs and a run scored. Macauley turned in a 2-for-3 afternoon with a run as well.
 
The two teams meet back at Sunnyland Park for a doubleheader to conclude the series Saturday at 1 p.m.
 
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