DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. ^__ Alabama A&M softball earned their first conference win on Saturday afternoon with a 3-2 win over Bethune-Cookman, rebounding from a lost to open the weekend series.
 
BCU got on the board early in the bottom of the first inning, scoring a run off a drawn walk and an error from A&M. Both sides struggled at the plate over the next few frames, with just three combined heading into the fourth.
 
Alabama A&M's first hit came on a single from Venice Sanders in the top of the inning, capitalizing later with an RBI single form Zahria Jones to tie the game at 1-1. The Bulldogs gained a 3-1 lead later in the frame after Allyson Riches scored on a wild pitch, followed by a sacrifice fly from Faith Cross to bring home Jones.
 
Taylor Woods was hit by a pitch in the top of the fifth, later advancing to second after Sanders was hit on two batters later, however the Bulldogs couldn't find the firepower needed to bring them home.
 
Bethune-Cookman gained ground in the sixth with a leadoff double to left center and scoring a runner soon after on a fielding error. The Wildcats final out in the frame was a groundout, leaving one stranded and the score 3-2.
 
Sanders stepped in the circle for just the third time this season, working a complete seven innings, allowing just two runs off six hits. The right-hander forced 14 groundouts, five fly balls and struck out a batter in the contest.
 
Four Bulldogs earned hits on the day, including Jones, Riches, Sanders, and Brooklyn Wallace. Jones led the way with an RBI single and run scored, while Cross also picked up an RBI.
 
Up Next
The three-game weekend series between the two programs concludes on Sunday, as the Bulldogs and Wildcats face off for the final time at 1 p.m. inside of Sunnyland Park.
 
Follow The Bulldogs
Stay connected with Alabama A&M Softball on Instagram and Twitter (@aamusoftball). For complete coverage of Alabama A&M athletics, follow on social media at @aamuathletics (Instagram) and @AAMUBulldogs on Twitter, and visit the official home of Alabama A&M University athletics at www.aamusports.com.