Bethune-Cookman Sweep Holy Cross in Home Opener

DAYTONA BEACH, Florida – Bethune-Cookman Softball completed a home opening sweep against Holy Cross on Tuesday afternoon as the Wildcats took game one by a 2-1 decision before turning around and capturing the nightcap by an 8-7 score line at Sunnyland Park.

BETHUNE-COOKMAN 2, HOLY CROSS 1 (Game 1)
Bethune-Cookman scored a pair of runs in bottom of the fifth inning to defeat visiting Holy Cross, 2-1 in the home opener for the Wildcats at Sunnyland Park on Tuesday afternoon. The game was the first of two played on the day between the two schools.

Bryanna Campos drew a walk from Holy Cross (2-4) starting pitcher Alexandra Held to begin the Bethune-Cookman at-bat in the home-half of the fifth inning. That sparked a pitching change as Holy Cross went with Olivia Sloane in the circle.

Sasha Killings pinch ran for Campos, immediately stealing second base before Brianna Sanders drew a walk of her own. Jacki Smith's ground out to second would advance both runners a base, setting the stage for sophomore Ryan Jackson to lace a two-run scoring triple to right field.

Bethune-Cookman (8-13) led 2-0 after five complete innings.

Holy Cross pulled a run back in the top of the sixth inning when Mandy McCarthy doubled to center field, allowing designated player Sydney Burr to single up the middle and score McCarthy and cut into the BCU lead, 2-1.

BCU sophomore pitcher Mariah Estrada entered the game with two outs and two runners on in the top of the seventh inning. She would walk centerfielder Jackie Brewster at the top of the order before getting Taylor Wahler to pop up to Kailey Richard at third base for the final out of the contest.

The win went to Alexis Bermudez for Bethune-Cookman, bumping her record to 3-4 on the season. She worked 6.2 innings in the circle for the Wildcats, allowing one run, scattering four hits and picking up four strikeouts against one walk. Estrada picked up her first save of the year with two batters faced in the seventh.

The Maroon and Gold was led at the dish by three players with a hit each, including Jackson's 1-for-2 effort and two RBIs in the game. Mariah Davis added a 1-for-3 game, while Richard also went 1-for-3 at the plate.

BETHUNE-COOKMAN 8, HOLY CROSS 7 (Game 2)
Cheyenne Smith's sacrifice fly in the bottom of the seventh inning allowed Taylor Sherritt to score from third and complete a come-from-behind win for Bethune-Cookman over visiting Holy Cross in non-conference softball action Tuesday afternoon at Sunnyland Park. BCU took the second game of the doubleheader, 8-7 to complete the doubleheader sweep.

With Bethune-Cookman (9-13) leading 6-0 after two innings, Holy Cross plated seven runs in the top of the fourth to capture their first lead of the day.

Holy Cross (2-5) sent 10 players to the plate in the top of the fifth.

Designated player Sydney Burr scored the first run of the inning for Holy Cross when Savannah Young delivered a RBI ground out to Jacki Smith at shortstop. The lead dimmed to 6-3 for the Wildcats three plays later when Jackie Brewster drove in two with a single to center field off BCU reliever Mariah Estrada. Shortstop Taylor Wahler followed with a run-scoring single of her own to cut the Holy Cross deficit at 6-4.

The Crusaders stepped out in front, 7-6 with one swing of the bat as Mandy McCarthy recorded a three-run homer to straight away center.

In the bottom of the sixth, BCU tied the game at 7-all when Cheyenne Smith scored from second, using a Mariah Davis single and a throwing error from Crusaders third baseman McCarthy trying to get Davis at first.

BCU had the bases loaded with one out in the home-half of the seventh, allowing Cheyenne Smith to drive a deep fly to right, giving Sherritt enough time to scamper in from third for the game-winning run.

The win went to BCU reliever Victoria Guzman (3-5), as the freshman worked 3.1 innings in the circle. She allowed three runs on three hits and picked up a game-high six strikeouts. The loss went to Olivia Sloane of Holy Cross in a relief effort, as she was tagged for two runs (one earned) on three hits, two walks and a strikeout.

The Wildcats were led offensively at the plate by Sherritt's 3-for-4 appearance and scoring one run. Ryan Jackson was 2-for-4 with two runs scored and a RBI. Meanwhile, second baseman Kailey Richard was also 2-for-4 at the dish with a game-high three RBIs and a run.

Bethune-Cookman returns to action Thursday back at Sunnyland Park when the Wildcats welcome UT Martin for a single non-conference contest at 2 p.m.

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