DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Bethune-Cookman brought the go-ahead run to the plate in the seventh inning but were unable to close the gap, falling 3-2 to Jackson State at Sunnyland Park.
Jackson State (19-16, 11-3) wasted no time in the first, taking advantage of two B-CU walks to grab an early lead. Brooklyln Morris drove both runners in on an RBI single to make it 2-0 Tigers.
After the early fireworks, neither team could get anything going offensively as both starting pitchers settled in. Bethune-Cookman (13-25, 9-7) managed just two hits in the first four innings.
The Tigers had a chance in the fourth to increase the lead, loading the bases with just one out. But Mia Gonzalez was able to pitch out of the jam, capped off my an unbelievable diving play by Jessica Alaan to end the frame.
B-CU would get on the board for the first time in the fifth. After a base hit from Mia'Lani Mayo, Emma Bradley-Tse reached base on a fielder's choice and later scored on a wild pitch to put the Wildcats within one.
In the sixth, the Cats had a chance to take the lead after a Jessica Alaan double put two runners in scoring position, but they were unable to capitalize.
Jackson State picked up a key insurance run in the seventh. Meah Almaraz hit an RBI double to right field to extend the Tigers lead to 3-1.
In the bottom of the inning, Bethune-Cookman led off with a base hit by Mayo, quickly bringing the tying run to the plate. Janel Morissey would later drive her in on a single to right to get back within a run.
JSU was able to barely hold on to the one-run lead to finish off the victory. Morissey was thrown out trying to steal second and Kween Tauala grounded out to end the game.
B-CU and Jackson State face off in a double-header tomorrow beginning at 1 p.m. back at Sunnyland Park.
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