DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. | The Alabama A&M University softball team began its three-game Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) series on Friday afternoon with a doubleheader loss to Bethune-Cookman, dropping the first game, 9-2, and falling, 12-4 in five innings in the second at Sunnyland Park.
HOW IT HAPPENED – GAME 1
After a scoreless first inning, Bethune-Cookman (13-24 overall, 11-6 SWAC) loaded the bases in the bottom of the second and came away with one run to grab a 1-0 lead.
The Wildcats added one run in the third and exploded for four runs in the fourth to extend the advantage to 6-0.
Alabama A&M (7-21, 3-13) got two runs back in the top half of the fifth.
Dakota Daniel opened the inning and reached on an error. She moved to second when
Allyson Riches singled to left.
Katie Puckett reached on an error to load the bases. With one down,
Zahria Jones reached on a dropped fly as Daniel and Riches scores as the Bulldogs trimmed the deficit to 6-2.
Back came BCU in the bottom of the frame, with three runs as the Wildcats stretched the lead to 9-2.
GAME NOTES
- Alabama A&M finished with two runs on three hits, had one error and left eight on base
- Dakota Daniel, Allyson Riches and Madison Murray collected one hit each
- Paige Scott (3-6) took the loss, surrendering nine runs (seven earned) on 17 hits, with one strikeout and one walk
- Bethune-Cookman finished with nine runs on 17 hits, committed six errors and stranded seven on base
- Jessica Alaan went 3-for-4, with two runs scored and one RBI
- Halyne Gonzalez (8-12) earned the victory in seven innings, giving up two unearned runs on three hits, fanned seven and walked two
HOW IT HAPPENED – GAME 2
Alabama A&M was quick to open the scoring as the Bulldogs plated three runs on four hits in the top of the first inning.
Dakota Daniel opened the game with a bunt single and stole second.
Allyson Riches followed with a sacrifice bunt as Daniel advanced to third.
Katie Puckett followed and doubled to right center as Daniel scored from third. After a fielder's choice by
Faith Cross,
Imani Mathis singled to left, moving Cross to third.
Susanna Cruit walked, loading the bases and
Kaidence Swoopes doubled to left center as Cross and Mathis scored as AAMU jumped out to a 3-0 lead.
Bethune-Cookman responded with two runs on one hit in the bottom of the inning, closing the gap to 3-2.
The Wildcats grabbed a 5-3 with lead with three runs in the second inning, before the Bulldogs trimmed the deficit to 5-4 with a run in the top of the fourth.
Eerica Ellis began the frame with a walk and advanced to second on a one-out Daniel base hit up the middle. Riches reached on a fielder's choice as Daniel was out at second and
Katie Puckett was hit by a pitch to load the bases. After a pitching change, Cross was hit by a pitch as Ellis scored.
Bethune-Cookman plated four runs in the bottom of the frame, stretching the advantage to 9-4.
The Wildcats sealed the victory by scoring three runs in the bottom of the fifth for the 12-4 victory.
GAME NOTES
- Alabama A&M finished with four runs on eight hits, committed two errors and left six on base
- Dakota Daniel went 2-for-2, with one walk, one stolen base and one run scored
- Cris'Deona Beasley (4-8) took the loss in 4.1 innings, giving up 14 runs on 11 hits, walked 10 and struck out two
- Bethune-Cookman finished with 12 runs on 11 hits and stranded six on base
- Essence Gibbs went 2-for-2, with two walks, one stolen base and four runs scored
- Jessica Alaan went 2-for-3, with four RBI, two stolen bases, two runs scored and one walk
- Joslynn Davis scored three times and collected a pair of hits
- Ajah Mallary started and surrendered four runs on eight hits, with four walks in 3.2 innings
- Sofia Coleman worked 1.1 in relief, with one strikeout
UP NEXT
Alabama A&M concludes its three-game SWAC series on Saturday morning at Bethune-Cookman. First pitch is set for 9 a.m. (central time) from Sunnyland Park.
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