LEESBURG, Fla. – The Wildcats fought hard but came up just short against Loyola Chicago and St. John's in day two of THE Spring Games in Leesburg.


Loyola Chicago 6, B-CU 5
In the first inning, Loyola Chicago (3-5) wasted no time getting runs on the board as Nat Lesnicki hit a home run following a leadoff single to give the Ramblers a 2-0 lead. Bethune-Cookman (1-9) did not allow any more runs to cross despite heavy traffic on the bases.

The Wildcats quickly responded in the bottom of the first, with the first two batters reaching on walks. With two outs, Aysiah Gonzalez hit a two-RBI single to tie the game at two.

The top of the second was a rough one for B-CU, as four more Ramblers came across to score. Loyola recorded five hits, including a double, giving themselves a 6-2 cushion.

After a leadoff walk by Alana Cypress in the bottom of the frame, the Wildcats were able to move her into scoring position where she would get home safely on an errant pickoff attempt at third base.

After neither team scored in the third or fourth, B-CU put together a two-run sixth to move them within just a run. Arianna Reynolds collected her first career home run and first of the season for the Wildcats, a solo shot to make it 6-4. Then with two outs, the Wildcats executed a play to manufacture a run, sneaking Mia'Lani Mayo home to make it 6-5.

Mia Gonzalez gave the Wildcats a chance with her stellar pitching. In 5.0 innings of relief, she allowed just two hits and no runs to keep the Cats within striking distance.

Unfortunately, it was not enough, as the Wildcats could not get anything going offensively in the final two innings of play, leading to the Ramblers holding on for the win.

St. John's 1, B-CU 0
Emma Bradley-Tse led off the game with a single, but the Wildcats were unable to capitalize, going scoreless in the first.

For St. John's, they reached on a walk in the bottom of the frame but were also unable to score.

The Red Storm threatened in the second and third, managing to load the bases. But Mia Gonzalez was able to work out of the jam both times, keeping the game scoreless.

SJU finally broke through in the fourth, with Cassidy Stouffer breaking the tie with a solo home run. The Red Storm also added a triple and a walk, but the Wildcats limited the damage to just the one run.

The Wildcats had scoring chances throughout the game, but fell one big hit short. The St. John's pitching staff was able to finish out the shutout on its way to a 1-0 victory.

 

Bethune-Cookman concludes its trip to Leesburg with a rematch with LIU, who they defeated on Friday afternoon. First pitch is set for 10 a.m. EST.
 


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