DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – After falling behind early, the Wildcats stormed ahead of the Bulldogs, eventually winning 13-5 in five innings at Sunnyland Park. B-CU sent twelve batters to the plate in the fourth inning, scoring eight runs to effectively put the game out of reach.

Alabama A&M (19-29, 6-16) jumped out to an early lead in the first inning. After a hit batter and a sacrifice bunt moved a runner into scoring position, Kali Austerman launched a two-run home run to left field to give the Bulldogs a 2-0 advantage.

Bethune-Cookman (18-26, 14-8) answered in the bottom of the first. Emma Bradley-Tse led off with a single and later came around to score on a fielding error, cutting the deficit to 2-1.

Neither team scored again until the third inning, when Bethune-Cookman took control. The Wildcats loaded the bases and capitalized with key hits, including a two-RBI single from Jessica Alaan and an RBI knock by Alana Cypress. Arianna Reynolds added a sacrifice fly as B-CU plated four runs to take a 5-2 lead.

The Wildcats broke the game open in the fourth inning with an explosive eight-run frame. Taking advantage of multiple Alabama A&M miscues and wild pitches, B-CU strung together timely hits from Zariah Billinger, Reynolds, and Cypress to extend the lead to 13-2.

Alabama A&M attempted to respond in the fifth inning, loading the bases and scoring three runs on a walk and consecutive RBI singles from Mariah Solorio and Kaylee Tatum to cut the deficit to 13-5.

The rally would be as close as the Bulldogs would get, however, as Bethune-Cookman closed out the run-rule victory. Mia Gonzalez earned the win in the circle, while Josefina Lacalle was charged with the loss.

Bethune-Cookman plays its final two games of the regular season tomorrow afternoon. First pitch of the senior day double header is set for 1 p.m. EST.



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