SWAC Softball: Game-winning hit claims series for Bethune Cookman

Courtesy of Bryce Hoynoski, Bethune Cookman Athletics

Alabama State 18-16, 7-4 SWAC

Winner Bethune-Cookman 10-23, 8-3 SWAC

Team	R	H	E
Alabama State	4	10	0
Bethune-Cookman	5	7	0

W: Guzman, Victoria (2-9) L: Bailey Greenlee (10-7)

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – It took an extra inning, but the Wildcats earned the series victory after a 5-4 win over Alabama A&M, Saturday afternoon at Sunnyland Park.

For the fourth straight game, the Wildcats (10-23, 8-3 SWAC) struck first as Samantha Kelley’s RBI fielder’s choice scored Haley Parks to give B-CU the 1-0 lead.

The Wildcats threatened again in the second as Kallie Earlington singled, stole second, and advanced to third on a groundout. The inning ended as Earlington was tagged out attempting to score on a wild pitch.

Bailey Greenlee, a day removed from throwing 161 pitches, took over on the mound for Alabama State in the third. She walked the bases loaded, but a miscommunication saw Kayla Traylor out at home to end the inning.

The Hornets (22-22, 0-0 SWAC) cracked the scoreboard in the fourth with a solo shot into dead center that made it 1-1.

B-CU grabbed the lead back a half-inning later as Joslynn Davis worked a bases-loaded walk to score Earlington.

Alabama State jumped in front in the fifth with three runs on three hits, courtesy of a three run homer by Alexia Denby.

The Wildcats entered the bottom of the seventh down a pair before Davis opened the frame with a double into left. She advanced to third on a wild pitch and came around to score on a sacrifice fly by Desirae Martinez.

Samantha Kelley was hit by a pitch before Essence Gibbs punched a two-out double into left, scoring Kelley and tying the game at 4-4.

Victoria Guzman worked a clean top of the eighth to set up 8-9-1 in the B-CU batting order. Earlington worked a walk to open the frame. Katelynn Perezpinch ran, advancing to second on a Carrington Robinson sacrifice bunt.

A Haley Parks single put runners on the corners, and Davis walked to load things up for pinch hitter Ciera Clark. Clark ended things with a single into left for the 5-4 walkoff victory.

Halyne Gonzalez made the start and took a no-decision after four innings in which she allowed three earned runs on six hits with a walk and five strikeouts.

Guzman earned the win after four innings of four-hit ball with one earned run, two walks, and five strikeouts.

Bailey Greenlee took the loss. She tossed 5.1 innings, allowing four runs on five hits with ten walks and two strikeouts.

Notes

Saturday’s contest sets a season high in single-game walks by the Wildcats.
Three straight wins marks longest win streak of the season for the Wildcats.

Up Next

The Wildcats will look for the series sweep Sunday at 1 p.m.

Next Game:
Alabama State
4/2/2023 | 1 p.m.

Team Statistics

PITCHINGW: Guzman, Victoria (2-9)L: Bailey Greenlee (10-7)

Alabama State

BATTINGHR: Alexia Denby 1; Alex Preston 1RBI: Alexia Denby 3; Alex Preston 1SH: Kindall DeRamus 2BASERUNNING:RUNS: Alexia Denby 1; Alex Preston 1; Alana Scott 1; Jaeda Gardner 1