DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – B-CU softball returns to SWAC play this weekend as they host a series rematch against Jackson State at Sunnyland Park. First pitch is scheduled for Friday at 5 p.m.



Friday & Saturday, April 10-11
Opponent: Jackson State (18-16, 10-3)
Time: 5 p.m. | 1/3 p.m.
Location: Daytona Beach, Fla. | Sunnyland Park
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

Bethune-Cookman (13-24, 9-6) scored in four of the first five innings, including a five-run fourth, to pull away after Mississippi Valley State briefly cut into the deficit in the second inning.

The Wildcats wasted little time getting on the board, plating two runs in the opening frame behind RBI hits from Janel Morrisey and Kween Tauala. B-CU followed with a four-run second inning, highlighted by aggressive baserunning that included multiple stolen bases and capitalized on a Delta Devil error to build a 6-0 lead.

Mississippi Valley State responded with four runs in the bottom of the second. Taniya Partee and Sheridan Kynard delivered extra-base hits, with Kynard's two-run triple bringing MVSU within 6-4.

That would be as close as the Devils would get. The Wildcats answered with a five-run fourth inning, highlighted by Morrisey's two-run triple and RBI hits from Aysiah Gonzalez and Brianna Casey, extending the lead to 11-4. B-CU added two more runs in the fifth to cap the scoring.

In the circle, Mia Gonzalez (7-12) earned the win in relief, tossing 3.1 scoreless innings with three strikeouts while allowing just two hits. She entered in the second inning and shut down the Devils' offense the rest of the way.

Madison Bruce (0-12) took the loss for Mississippi Valley State.

Jackson State has continued its hot start to conference play, jumping out to a 10-3 record. However, they are coming off back-to-back losses against Alabama State and Alcorn, dropping them to second in the SWAC's east division.

The Tigers are a strong offensive team, topping the league in batting average (.353), and ranking second in hits (367) and runs (294). Jace Jackson continues to lead the way, batting .430 with 2 home runs and a team-high 26 RBI. She is one of eight Jackson State hitters with at least 10 runs batted in.

On the pitching side, the Tigers sit fifth in the SWAC in ERA at 5.47 as a team. They are tied for first with the fewest walks allowed. Jorgina Gant leads the team in innings pitched and has accumulated a 3.09 ERA with 52 strikeouts to 20 walks.




Following the Tigers' sweep of the Wildcats earlier this season, Jackson State pushed its advantage in the all-time series to 15-10. The last series at Sunnyland came last season, where the Wildcats won two of three.

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