The pitching staff did its part in Gulfport, Miss., but a lack of offense saw the season end for the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff softball team.
UAPB dropped Wednesday’s elimination game 2-0 to Bethune-Cookman at the Gulfport Sportsplex, ending the team’s run in the SWAC softball tournament.
Second baseman Jessica Alaan gave the East No. 3-seed Lady Wildcats (19-31) the lead with a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the fifth inning with the bases loaded, which scored pinch runner Joyce Bloome.
UAPB pitcher Danika Bryant (2-9) responded by striking out designated player Ciera Clark to end the inning and strand two runners, but the Lady Wildcats added insurance an inning later. Left fielder Brooklyn Scott led off with a single. Shortstop Briana Vazquez followed with a ground ball to short, but Scott beat the throw to second, leaving both runners safe.
They advanced into scoring position on a wild pitch, then third baseman Shanai Owens drove Scott home on a groundout. Bryant got out of the inning with no further damage, but it gave BCU a 2-0 lead entering the seventh.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
BCU pitcher Halyne Gonzalez (13-16) retired the Lady Lions in order in the seventh to end the game and UAPB’s season. The second team All-SWAC pitcher held UAPB to one hit in seven innings. She struck out six hitters and walked two.
Bryant allowed 2 runs in 6 innings on 5 hits. She struck out 3 and walked 4.
Velazquez hit 3 for 3 for BCU, including a triple.
BCU stranded 4 runners in the first 4 innings, including leaving 2 in scoring position in the first. The other 2 were stranded at third base in the second and fourth innings.
Gonzalez retired the first six hitters of the game before UAPB left fielder Malani Francis drew a leadoff walk in the third. Third baseman Amari Broughton later walked in the fourth, but both were stranded at second base.
West No. 4-seed UAPB (19-30) had its best scoring opportunity in the top of the fifth. Right fielder Ariana Gonzalez led off with a double, UAPB’s only hit of the game. Francis laid down a bunt, but BCU opted to throw to third instead of first. Jada Crusterson, pinch running for Gonzalez, stayed at second, and Francis beat the eventual throw to first.
First baseman Samaria Jackson then reached on a fielder’s choice which saw Francis thrown out at second. UAPB attempted a double steal, sending Jackson to second while Crusterson started home. BCU cut off the throw to second and threw to third, picking off Crusterson. A pop up caught in foul territory ended the inning as UAPB failed to score.
UAPB did not get another runner on base as Gonzalez retired the final seven hitters.
This loss eliminated UAPB, which went 0-2 in the tournament after losing a heartbreaker to East Division champion Florida A&M 2-1 in extra innings in the opening round Tuesday.
Bethune-Cookman rebounded from Tuesday’s 6-2 loss to Texas Southern with this win to stay alive in the loser’s bracket.