Bethune-Cookman defeated North Carolina A&T, 7-3, to win the 2010 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Softball Championship title, Saturday afternoon at the Ormond Beach Sports Complex.

The softball title was the first for the Wildcats since the 2004 season and sixth overall.

Bethune-Cookman (32-22) put the first strike on the board, scoring two runs in the bottom of the first inning, as Sabrina Ferguson reached base on a fielding error which sent two Wildcats home.

North Carolina A&T (28-27) was quick to respond, as Jennifer Luper collected an RBI single in the top of the second to put North Carolina A&T back in the game. The Lady Aggies did climb on top in the top of the fourth, with Britney Reddick's two-RBI single to center field putting North Carolina A&T on top 3-2.

The Lady Aggies kept B-CU quiet offensively for four innings, but the Wildcats ended their silence in the bottom of the sixth, exploding for five runs to take a commanding lead. Setting of the scoring, Cesley Tafoya sent a batter home for the first RBI, followed by RBI from Ferguson, Michelle Banuelos-Smith, Joana Hernandez, and Briana Leverett. At the conclusion of the inning, the Wildcats had gained the upper hand with a 7-3 lead over the Lady Aggies.

In the top of the seventh, the Wildcats collected three quick outs, downing the leadoff batter to open. Allowing one batter on base, the Wildcat defense turned the next at-bat into a double play en route to the title.

The Lady Aggies tallied nine hits in the game. North Carolina A&T's offense was led by Jennifer Luper with two hits, one run, and one RBI. Also with solid at-bats, Britney Reddick came away with a hit and an RBI, while Hope Fletcher and Channing Statham each earned two hits.

As a team, B-CU collected ten hits, led by Sabrina Ferguson with two hits, one run, and two RBI. Allie Garcia had two hits and two runs, while Ashton Hinds had two hits and one run.

Garcia (24-14), who was named the Outstanding Performer, pitched her tenth consecutive complete game, with two strikeouts, two walks, and three earned runs. North Carolina A&T's Sasha Philpot (11-12) got the loss with three strikeouts, five walks, and three earned runs in six innings of work.

"We worked so hard to get here. I can't thank my team enough," said Garcia. "I go out on the mound and do my job and I can always count on my teammates to come through with hits.  I am happy to bring a championship to our school and our fans and we can't wait for the NCAA Regional.

Wildcats Head Coach Chris Cochran was named the Outstanding Coach.

I'm really happy for our players because no one has worked harder for this than they have," said Cochran. "I am thankful that I get to coach a great group of players. I am really happy for them."

With the win, Bethune-Cookman receives the conference's automatic bid to the 2010 NCAA Softball Championship. The NCAA Softball Championship pairings will be announced tomorrow at 10 p.m. on ESPNU.

For more information on MEAC Softball, log on to www.meacsports.com.