The Bethune-Cookman Wildcats fell to the fourth-seeded Florida Gators in the opening round of the NCAA Softball Regional, Friday in Gainesville, before a crowd of 1,209 at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium. UF built an 8-0 victory off of nine hits while limiting B-CU to just three hits.

Offensively, the Wildcats were held throughout the shutout, but also had a tough time containing the nationally ranked heavy hitting of the Gators. A two-RBI double and a two-RBI single put UF on the board quickly in the first.

UF scored two runs in both the bottom of the third and fifth to extend the lead to eight runs, ending the game in the fifth inning for B-CU's first loss in the Regional.

Shortstop Cheyenne Coyle led UF at the plate, hitting 2-3 for three RBI, including a solo home run to lead off the fifth inning.

For B-CU, Ashton Hinds, Allie Garcia, and Michelle Banuelos-Smith each picked up hits.

Garcia started on the mound for B-CU and pitched four innings in the loss, collecting two strikeouts.

In game one of the Gainesville Regional, UCLA held off Jacksonville, scoring two runs in the bottom of the sixth for the 2-0 win.

Bethune-Cookman (33-25) returns to action Saturday afternoon in Gainesville, taking on JU (34-17) at 3:30 p.m. in the Regional elimination game.