JACKSON, Miss. – The Bethune-Cookman Wildcats are 6-0 in SWAC play and will look to keep the momentum going against the Jackson State Tigers at JSU Softball Field. The three-game series begins Friday at 6 p.m EST.



Friday & Saturday, March 20--21
Opponent: Jackson State (11-12, 3-2)
Time: 6 p.m. | 2/4 p.m. (DH)
Location: Jackson, Miss. | JSU Softball Field
Watch: https://www.youtube.com/cateyenetwork
Listen: https://bcuathletics.com/sports/2024/11/13/Cateye-Network-Radio.aspx
Live Stats: https://bcuathletics.com/sidearmstats/softball/summary

Alabama State struck first in the opening inning when Brooke Ramsey doubled and later scored on Addison Giles' fielder's choice. B-CU answered with three runs in the bottom half, highlighted by Aysiah Gonzalez's two-run single to take a 3-1 lead.

The Hornets surged ahead with a five-run fifth inning. Jaibriel Terrell delivered an RBI bunt single and Giles added a run-scoring groundout before Alabama State capitalized on defensive miscues to take a 6-4 advantage.

The Wildcats responded quickly, tying the game in the bottom of the inning on Janel Morrisey's two-run single. The Wildcats later took an 8-6 lead in the sixth, as Jasmine Mañebo hit a two-run single of her own.

Alabama State rallied again in the seventh, scoring three runs on an RBI single from Alana Scott, an RBI bunt by Bailee Williams, and Braylin Cook's sacrifice fly to go back in front 9-8. B-CU tied the game in the bottom half on Alana Cypress' sacrifice fly, sending the contest to extra innings.

Both teams continued trading runs. Alabama State scored in the 10th on Arianna Cox-Cole's RBI double, but the Wildcats answered in the bottom half on Aminah Salam's RBI groundout. The Hornets took an 11-10 lead in the 11th before Zariah Billinger tied it with an RBI double for B-CU.

In the 12th, Alabama State appeared to seize control when Scott drove in two runs with a single to make it 13-11.

But Bethune-Cookman answered one last time. After a single from Mia'Lani Mayo and a throwing error allowed two runs to score and tie the game, Morrisey reached base before Emma Bradley-Tse crossed the plate with the winning run on a wild pitch.

Sofia Coleman (2-3) earned the win in relief, while Mason Quinnie (2-5) took the loss.

Morrisey finished with three hits and three RBIs for Bethune-Cookman, while Gonzalez added three hits and two RBIs. Scott led Alabama State with three hits and three RBIs in the losing effort. The game took over four hours to complete.

Jackson State is 3-2 in SWAC play thus far, having lost two out of three to Florida A&M and beaten Alabama A&M twice.

The Tigers have been one of the strongest offensive teams in the league this season, ranking second in the SWAC in batting average and runs scored. Senior Jace Jackson has been the team's most productive hitter, managing a .459 batting average with two home runs and a team-high five doubles and 18 RBI. She has struckout just twice in 23 games.

The pitching staff has accumulated a 5.85 ERA while allowing a .293 batting average. Jorgina Gant leads the team in innings with 51.0 and has achieved a 3.43 ERA with 33 strikeouts to 17 walks.




Bethune-Cookman holds the slight edge over the Hornets in the all-time series 15-12. However, Alabama State has won the previous six meetings.

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