BOX SCORE
ORMOND BEACH, Fla. - Bethune-Cookman claimed its first MEAC Softball Championship since 2012 as they ended Florida A&M's four-year hold on the title behind the strength of an 8-5 victory.
The Wildcats jumped ahead 1-0 in the bottom of the first after Brianna Sanders' RBI single. After a 1-2-3, FAMU second, Bethune-Cookman tacked on two more runs for a 3-0 lead after RBI singles from Jacki Smith and Iesha Waters. FAMU attempted to mount a comeback in the fourth with runners in scoring position but its rally fell short after a base running mishap and consecutive pop ups. The Wildcats returned to the scoreboard in the fourth courtesy of Waters' second RBI and a FAMU throwing error which allowed Smith to score from third.
With their backs against the wall and down 6-0 entering the sixth, the Rattlers opened the frame with a quick out but began to pressure BCU starter Alexus Bermudez. As a result, Bermudez was pulled for reliever Destiny Enriquez but FAMU remained hot as Kyaira Brown singled home a run. Enriquez hit FAMU's Hera Varmah on the ensuing at-bat and was pulled for reliever Victoria Guzman. Yuri Hampton hit a sac fly to cut the lead in half and a BCU throwing error paved the way for FAMU's fourth run to cross home as they trailed 6-4 entering the bottom of the sixth.
BCU's Cheyenne Smith opened the sixth with a single up the middle and moved to second on a one out single from Jacki Smith. 2018 MEAC Player of the Year Ryan Jackson field out to left for the inning's second out and it looked like FAMU would leave the inning unscathed. However, with the momentum clearly on FAMU's side, Waters took the air away from the FAMU dugout and fans as she drove a deep shot over the left field wall for an 8-4 advantage.
Varmah added a run in the seventh to keep FAMU close but that would be the end as BCU broke a four-year streak of losing to FAMU in the MEAC Championship finals.
Smith finished 3-for-4 with four runs and an RBI while Waters drove in five RBI on two hits. Brown led FAMU with two hits struck out two on the mount.
BCU freshman Alexis Bermudez was named 2018 Most Outstanding Performer after allowing five hits in 6.1 innings of action. She finished tournament play with a 3-0 record.
Bethune-Cookman will await their NCAA Regional destination as the selection show is scheduled for Sunday at 10 p.m. on ESPN2.
2018 All-Tournament Team
|
| Courtney Mirabella |
North Carolina Central |
| Dasha Hill |
Hampton |
| Alana Vandenburg |
Hampton |
| Ryan Jackson |
Bethune-Cookman |
| Iesha Waters |
Bethune-Cookman |
| Alexis Bermudez |
Bethune-Cookman |
| Jacki Smith |
Bethune-Cookman |
| Kayla Traylor |
Bethune-Cookman |
| Hera Varmah |
Florida A&M |
| Kyaira Brown |
Florida A&M |
| Toni Anderson |
Florida A&M |
| Alexis Bermudez |
Most Outstanding Performer / Bethune-Cookman |
| Laura Watten |
Most Outstanding Coach / Bethune-Cookman |