MADEIRA BEACH, Fla. – The Wildcats' offense struggled to generate production, plating just one run across two games as B-CU fell to Bowling Green and Monmouth in its final contests of the Make It Happen Games at R.O.C. Park.


Bowling Green 2, B-CU 0
Bowling Green (10-5) scored both of its runs in the second inning, while Bethune-Cookman (4-16) was unable to capitalize on late opportunities despite outhitting stretches of the game.

After a scoreless first inning, the Falcons took advantage of a fielding error to open the second. A leadoff error and a stolen base set the table before Hannah Simko delivered a two-out, two-run double to left field, scoring Addie Martin and Peyton Steffes for the game's only runs. One of the runs was unearned.

The Wildcats threatened in the second when Zariah Billinger singled to start the inning, but Bowling Green turned a double play to erase the opportunity. B-CU was limited to four hits on the morning and did not draw a walk against Falcons starter Mackenzie Krafcik, who tossed a complete-game shutout, allowing four hits with two strikeouts.

Billinger led the Wildcats at the plate, going 2-for-3, while Mia'Lani Mayo and Molly Blackwood each added a hit. Blackwood's pinch-hit single in the seventh, followed by another single from Billinger, put the tying run on base with one out in the final frame. However, Bowling Green recorded a flyout and a fielder's choice to seal the shutout.

In the circle, Aimi Tohara-Yshiki (1-5) took the loss, allowing two runs, one earned, over 1.2 innings of relief. Malaiyah Galindo started the contest, and Mia Gonzalez provided 4.2 scoreless innings out of the bullpen to keep the Wildcats within striking distance.

Monmouth 7, B-CU 1

Bethune-Cookman collected eight hits in the contest, but Monmouth (5-8) used a four-run third inning and a late home run to secure the victory.

The Wildcats threatened early in the first inning after Kween Tauala was hit by a pitch and Janel Morrisey singled up the middle to move her into scoring position. However, Monmouth pitcher Carah Sumpter worked out of the jam to keep the game scoreless.

The Hawks broke through in the bottom of the third, capitalizing on a pair of Bethune-Cookman errors. An RBI single from Ella Stevinson opened the scoring before Mackenzie Bloss delivered a two-run single to left. A sacrifice fly later in the inning pushed the lead to 4-0, with two of the runs unearned.

B-CU answered in the fourth. Morrisey singled and Zariah Billinger followed with a base hit to put two aboard. After a fielding error by the Hawks, Morrisey crossed the plate for the Wildcats' lone run of the game.

Monmouth added to its lead in the fifth on an RBI single from Bri Lawson, stretching the margin to 5-1. In the sixth, Dominique Lopez provided the final blow with a two-run home run to left field.

Morrisey led the Wildcats at the plate, going 3-for-4 with a run scored. Billinger added two hits, while Mia'Lani Mayo also finished 3-for-3. Despite the offensive production, Bethune-Cookman stranded 10 runners on base.

Mia Gonzalez (3-8) took the loss in the circle, allowing four runs, two earned, in 2.1 innings. Sofia Vollejos-Coleman provided 3.2 innings of relief. Carah Sumpter (1-1) earned the complete-game victory for Monmouth, allowing one unearned run on eight hits while striking out three.

Bethune-Cookman begins conference play next weekend on the road against the Alabama A&M Bulldogs. The series begins Friday at 3 p.m. from Huntsville, Alabama.



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