TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – After an hour lighting delay and nearly shutting out archrival Florida A&M on the road, the Bethune-Cookman softball team earned a 7-1 victory on national television as the Wildcats picked up a game one win Thursday, April 28 at the FAMU Softball Complex.

The Wildcat's offense started off on fire as B-CU rookie Annie Bakenhus reached first after her hit to third base was too hot to handle for Amber Fullwood. Mariah Davis and Iesha Waters both followed with bunts for singles to load the bases before senior Melissa Berouty was hit by a pitch, earning the RBI and putting the 'Cats on the board 1-0, with no outs.

Davis scored during Brianna Sanders' at bat on a wild pitch, before the rookie walked, reloading the bases.

After a Sophia Ortega pop out, junior Bailey Conner sent a sac fly to center field, scoring Waters and pushing the B-CU lead to 3-0 before the inning ended with three runs, two hits, one Rattler error and two left on base.

It was a one-two-three inning in the field for the Wildcats in the bottom of the first after Sabrina Anguiano recorded her first of five strike outs to close the inning.

Innings two through four went scoreless for both teams before Bakenhus opened the top of the fifth with a double to center. Davis then pushed Bakenhus to third with a sacrifice bunt, followed by a Waters sac fly to center field, scoring Bakenhus.

The Wildcats had another three-piece in the top of the sixth as B-CU added three runs on three hits and one FAMU error in the inning, giving the 'Cats a 7-0 lead.

The Rattlers finally broke their scoring silence in the bottom of the final inning after a leadoff homer from Nachelle Watson put FAMU on the board late in the game.

A strike out, pop up and strike out ended the inning and game as B-CU sealed the 7-1 game one victory.

Davis finished 2-for-3 at the plate for B-CU with one run and one RBI to lead the day.

Anguiano (8-13) finished the afternoon allowing only two FAMU hits and one late run. She faced 24 batters during the complete 7.0 innings, giving up one walk while fanning five batters.

The Wildcats return to the diamond Friday, April 29 as Bethune-Cookman faces Florida A&M in doubleheader action beginning at 1 p.m., at the FAMU Softball Complex.