Florida A&M tops Bethune-Cookman 4-2 to claim MEAC softball championship

ORMOND BEACH, Florida  -- Things didn't start out well for Florida A&M pitcher Kenya Pereira on Saturday.
             

Bethune-Cookman's first four batters of the game got hits, including Kelsey Rodney, who smashed a two-run homer over the left-field fence in the top of the first.

 

But Pereira, a freshman right-hander, did not allow another hit until the fifth inning, and the Rattlers went on to defeat the Wildcats 4-2 to win the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference tournament softball championship at the Ormond Beach Sports Complex.

 

Pereira, who allowed just two earned runs in 26.1 tournament innings, was named the tourney's outstanding performer, while FAMU's Veronica Wiggins was named oustanding coach. The Rattlers (24-27) allowed a total of three runs to win four consecutive tourney games and advance to the NCAA regionals for the first time since 2009.

 

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