HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – Bethune-Cookman erupted for four runs in the eighth inning to break open a tight game and defeat Alabama A&M 7-3 in the Southwestern Athletic Conference opener Thursday afternoon at Bulldog Field.

The Wildcats (5-17, 1-0 SWAC) collected 13 hits and pulled away in extra innings after the two teams battled through a one-run contest late into the game.

Bethune-Cookman struck first in the opening inning when Alana Cypress delivered an RBI single to score Zariah Billinger, giving the Wildcats a 1-0 lead. The Wildcats added another run in the second when Jasmine Manebo doubled and later scored on a catcher's error to make it 2-0.

Alabama A&M (13-9, 0-1 SWAC) answered in the bottom of the second. Josefina Lacalle drove in a run with a triple to right field before McKenna Furnari followed with an RBI single to tie the game at 2-2.

B-CU regained the lead in the third when Jessica Alaan lifted a sacrifice fly to center field that plated Janel Morrisey, putting the Wildcats ahead 3-2.

Both teams threatened throughout the middle innings, but pitching and defense held the score steady. Mia Gonzalez worked five innings for Bethune-Cookman, allowing two runs on eight hits with four strikeouts, while Aimi Tohara-Yshiki tossed three innings of relief.

B-CU carried a one-run lead into the seventh. But the Bulldogs were able to tie the game and send it to extras. Akyndra Montalvo led off with a single and eventually scored on a throwing error to even the score at three.

The Wildcats finally broke the game open in the eighth. Manebo started the rally with an RBI single before Emma Bradley-Tse added an RBI base hit. Morrisey capped the inning with a two-run single up the middle to extend the lead to 7-2.

Alabama A&M brought the tying run to the plate in the bottom half but could only push across one run as Bethune-Cookman closed out the victory.

Morrisey finished 2-for-4 with two RBIs and two runs scored, while Kween Tauala led the Wildcats with three hits. Manebo also added two hits and an RBI.

Kaylee Tatum took the loss in relief for Alabama A&M after surrendering four runs in two innings.

The Wildcats will close out the series against the Bulldogs tomorrow, including finshing out the second game of the double header that was suspended in the sixth inning. 



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