Florida A&M Rattlers Eliminate Bethune-Cookman Wildcats in Thrilling SWAC Softball Tournament Victory
GULFPORT, Miss. – May 8, 2025 — In a dramatic showdown at the 2025 Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Softball Tournament, the Florida A&M Rattlers staged a remarkable comeback to defeat their long-standing rivals, the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats, with a final score of 6-5. This victory propels the Rattlers further into the tournament while bringing the Wildcats’ season to a close.
Game Highlights
The Rattlers initiated the scoring in the first inning with freshman Jamison Townsend delivering an RBI single, allowing Ciara Maple to cross home plate. However, the Wildcats responded assertively, amassing five runs by the fifth inning to establish a 5-1 lead. Bethune-Cookman’s offensive surge was fueled by a combination of walks and strategic hits, putting Florida A&M on the defensive.
Undeterred, Florida A&M mounted a formidable response in the bottom of the fifth inning. Junior Amari Brown ignited the rally with a pivotal three-run triple, narrowing the deficit. The Rattlers continued to capitalize on scoring opportunities, ultimately tallying five runs in the inning to seize a 6-5 lead. The team’s pitching staff then held the Wildcats scoreless for the remainder of the game, securing the win.
Key Performers
Neriah Lee: The junior outfielder led the Rattlers’ offense with a stellar 3-for-3 performance at the plate, consistently applying pressure on the Wildcats’ defense.
Amari Brown: Brown’s critical three-run triple in the fifth inning was instrumental in shifting the game’s momentum in favor of Florida A&M.
Samantha Smith: The senior pitcher entered the game in relief, delivering 2.1 innings of shutout pitching to earn her seventh win of the season.
Game Statistics
- Final Score: Florida A&M 6, Bethune-Cookman 5
- Hits: Florida A&M 9, Bethune-Cookman 4
- Errors: Florida A&M 1, Bethune-Cookman 0
- Winning Pitcher: Samantha Smith (7-4)
- Losing Pitcher: Halyne Gonzalez (10-19
Moving Forward
With this victory, the Florida A&M Rattlers (26-19) advance in the SWAC Tournament and are scheduled to face Alabama State University on May 9 at 10:30 AM. The team aims to maintain their momentum and continue their pursuit of the conference championship.
Florida A&M Rattlers Eliminate Bethune-Cookman Wildcats in Thrilling SWAC Softball Tournament Victory. The Bethune-Cookman Wildcats conclude their season with a 23-31 record, having demonstrated resilience and competitiveness throughout the tournament.
