JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – B-CU softball will make the short trip to Jacksonville for midweek action against North Florida at the UNF Softball Complex. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m., with the game being streamed live on ESPN+.


Wednesday, March 11
Opponent: North Florida (24-5, 0-0)
Time: 6 p.m.
Location: Jacksonville, Fla. | UNF Softball Complex
Watch: https://www.espn.com/watch/player/_/id/207e13db-4aad-4546-817f-47ee87dbc7d1?om-navmethod=espn%3Aglobalsearch%3Aresults
Live Stats: https://unfospreys.com/sidearmstats/softball/summary
Tickets: https://www.ticketreturn.com/prod2new/client.asp?ClientID=135

The Wildcats capitalized on defensive miscues early to jump in front in the first inning. B-CU  scored three runs without recording a hit, taking advantage of three Alabama A&M errors before Alana Cypress drove in a run with a groundout to make it 3-0.

The Bulldogs answered in the bottom half when Josefina Lacalle launched a solo home run to center field to cut the deficit to 3-1.

Bethune-Cookman extended the lead in the third inning with four runs on six hits. Cypress delivered an RBI single, Jasmine Manebo added a run-scoring hit, and Mia'Lani Mayo and Emma Bradley-Tse each drove in runs to push the Wildcats ahead 7-1.

The Bulldogs battled back with four runs in the bottom of the third, highlighted by a three-run home run from Grace Cruthis, trimming the margin to 7-5. Lacalle added an RBI single in the fourth inning to bring Alabama A&M within one run at 7-6.

B-CU then broke the game open in the sixth inning, scoring eight runs while taking advantage of four Alabama A&M errors. Aysiah Gonzalez delivered a two-run single, Cypress added an RBI double, and Jessica Alaan cleared the bases with a two-run triple as the Wildcats stretched the lead to 15-6.

Alabama A&M mounted another rally in the bottom of the sixth. Kali Austerman blasted a three-run homer as part of a five-run inning that cut the deficit to 15-11.

The Wildcats added an insurance run in the seventh on an RBI fielder's choice by Alaan before closing out the victory.

Aimi Tohara-Yshiki earned the win in relief, allowing one run over three innings. Rebekah Mitchell recorded the final two innings to help secure the win.

Cypress led Bethune-Cookman offensively, going 3-for-5 with three RBIs, while Bradley-Tse finished 3-for-5 with two runs and an RBI. Mayo added two hits and two RBIs, and Alaan drove in three runs.

Austerman paced Alabama A&M with three hits and four RBIs, including a three-run homer. Lacalle added three hits and two RBIs, while Cruthis contributed a three-run home run.

Bethune-Cookman finished with 13 hits in the win, while Alabama A&M collected 14 hits but committed nine errors in the loss.

The North Florida Ospreys have been excellent in non-conference play this season, currently sporting a 24-5 record. They were chosen to finish third in the ASUN in the preseason poll behind Florida Gulf Coast and Eastern Kentucky.

The Ospreys opened the season by run-ruling the Auburn Tigers 11-3 at home. They have lost just twice in Jacksonville this season to North Dakota State and No. 4/5 Florida.

UNF has a potent lineup, with the team collectively batting .326 while averaging 5.8 runs per game. Junior Bella Cimino is the team's leader in home runs (5) and RBI (26), while having more walks (14) than strikeouts (9).

Meanwhile, the pitching staff has also been excellent this season, managing a combined 2.20 ERA in 181.0 total innings. They are holding opponents to a .224 batting average.

North Florida's top starter is Cameron Ponich, who owns a sparkling 0.77 ERA and is allowing a .160 batting average to opposing hitters.


North Florida has been dominant in the series against the Wildcats, leading 22-5. B-CU will look to end a seven-game losing streak versus UNF dating back to 2017.

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