DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Molly Blackwood and Shania Owens each registered home runs Saturday afternoon to help Bethune-Cookman Softball take both legs of a doubleheader from visiting Alabama A&M and complete a three-game Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) series sweep at Sunnyland Park in Daytona Beach, Florida. B-CU took the opener, 11-0, before turning around and winning the nightcap, 17-0.
 

B-CU 11, Alabama A&M 0
Halyne Gonzalez went the distance in the pitcher's circle and freshman Molly Blackwood recorded her first career home run Saturday afternoon as Bethune-Cookman defeated Alabama A&M 11-0 in the opening game of a SWAC Softball doubleheader at Sunnyland Park in Daytona Beach, Florida.
 
Bethune-Cookman (15-23, 8-5 SWAC) jumped out to an early lead with a four-run first inning and never looked back, adding two runs in the second and five more in the third to institute the run-rule for the second consecutive game at home.
 
Senior right-hander Halyne Gonzalez (8-15) delivered a masterful complete-game shutout, scattering just four hits while striking out five and walking two over five innings of work. The Norwalk, California native threw 76 pitches and faced just 19 batters on the day.
 
Designated player Molly Blackwood provided the offensive highlight with a three-run homer to left field in the first inning that broke the game open. Senior shortstop Briana Velazquez added a two-run double in the same frame as part of her 1-for-2 day that included two RBIs and a run scored.
 
Alabama A&M (15-19, 6-8 SWAC) struggled both offensively and defensively throughout the contest. The Bulldogs committed two costly errors that led to six unearned runs across the contest.
 
Starting pitcher Linzie Wilson (0-1) lasted just 2.1 innings, allowing 10 runs (four earned) on six hits and six walks.
 
The Wildcats wasted no time establishing control in the first inning.
 
After senior centerfielder Joslynn Davis singled and advanced to third on a fielder's choice and a passed ball, left fielder Emma Bradley-Tse and first baseman Kendall Macauley came around to score on Velazquez's double. Blackwood followed with her home run to make it 4-0 in favor of the Maroon and Gold.
 
The Wildcats added two more runs in the second when catcher Thais Uyema walked, advanced to third on Joyce Bloome's sacrifice bunt, and scored on Shania Owens' groundout. Davis then singled, stole second, advanced to third on a throwing error, and scored on Bradley-Tse's single to center field.
 
The game was effectively decided in the third inning when B-CU pushed across five more runs on just two hits, capitalizing on three walks, a hit batter, and the second error of the game – this one by Bulldogs catcher Toni Purchas, allowing two runs to score on a failed pickoff attempt with a throw down to Kailey Hardin at third.
 
AAMU centerfielder Dakota Daniel provided the offense for the Bulldogs, going 2-for-3 with a triple in the game. Akyndra Montalvo, the Bulldogs' designated player, also collected two hits in two at-bats, but AAMU stranded four runners and could never string together consecutive hits against B-CU's Halyne Gonzalez.
 
Bradley-Tse finished 1-for-1 with two walks, two RBIs, and a run scored for the Wildcats, also stealing two bases. Davis went 2-for-3 with two runs scored and added a stolen base of her own, while Macauley reached base three times and scored once.
 
B-CU 17, Alabama A&M 0
For the second time this season, senior third baseman Shania Owens led off with a home run as Bethune-Cookman sprinted to a 17-0 win over Alabama A&M and completed a three-game series sweep of the Bulldogs in SWAC play on Saturday afternoon at Sunnyland Park in Daytona Beach, Florida.
 
Bethune-Cookman (16-23, 9-5 SWAC) erupted for 10 runs in the third inning to break the game open, increasing the Wildcats previous 4-0 advantage.
 
Junior left fielder Emma Bradley-Tse led B-CU's offensive attack, going a perfect 4-for-4 with four RBIs and two stolen bases, respectfully.
 
Shania Owens kick-started the scoring with a first-inning solo home run, her fourth of the season, while finishing the day with four runs scored and two stolen bases.
 
Joslynn Davis contributed significantly to the Wildcats' attack, driving in two runs and crossing the plate three times herself.
 
The Wildcats offense collected 12 hits, drew eight walks, and stole 10 bases against Alabama A&M's pitching staff consisting of Alyssa Charter-Smith, Susanna Cruit and Linzie Wilson in the game. The Wildcats were hit by pitch three times and capitalized on aggressive baserunning throughout the contest as well.
 
Alyssa Lopez (7-4) was dominant in the circle for the second consecutive game for the Maroon and Gold, tossing a complete game shutout while scattering just four hits, walking one and striking out seven Bulldogs over five innings.
 
Alabama A&M (15-20, 6-9 SWAC) starter Charter-Smith took the loss after allowing nine earned runs on six hits in 3.1 innings of work. The Bulldogs' bullpen combined to surrender eight more runs in relief.
 
The Wildcats wasted no time establishing control, taking a 2-0 lead in the first inning on Owens' leadoff homer and Briana Velazquez's RBI groundout that scored Davis after the senior centerfielder stole third base. B-CU made it 4-0 in the second frame when Thais Uyema scored on Davis' sacrifice fly and Bradley-Tse drove in Owens with a single to left.
 
The game was effectively decided in the third inning when Bethune-Cookman sent 15 batters to the plate, scoring 10 runs on seven hits. Right fielder Joyce Bloome and Bradley-Tse each drove in two runs during the frame, while pinch hitter Alana Cypress, Molly Blackwood and Jessica Alaan contributed one RBI apiece, respectively. The inning was highlighted by Bradley-Tse's two-run double to left center and aggressive baserunning that included Alaan stealing home.
 
The Cats increased the lead by three in the fourth inning which saw Bradley-Tse swipe home to cap the scoring.
 
Right fielder Allyson Riches led Alabama A&M offensively with two hits.
 


Bethune-Cookman next travels to Mississippi Valley State for a three-game series beginning Friday, April 11, in Itta Bena, Mississippi. First pitch is set for 2 p.m. ET (1 p.m. CT).
 


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