DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – The Savannah State University softball team (11-17, 1-0 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference) opened conference play with a 1-0 win over Bethune-Cookman University (5-22, 0-1 MEAC) Friday after sophomore shortstop Brianna Harris' RBI double that brought home junior left fielder Chasney Jenkins from first base for the winning run in the third inning.
 
Harris led SSU going 2-for-3 with an RBI, while Jenkins and senior first baseman Torrian Wright each recorded a hit, while junior pitcher Amanda Hallman (6-8) went the distance scattering three hits with five walks and three strikeouts.
 
After a groundout to start the game, Harris was hit by a pitch and advanced to second after a groundout to first base for the second out of the inning. Wright singled to right field, but was thrown out at second after the throw went home, but Harris stayed at third. In the bottom half of the first inning, Hallman recorded three strikeouts.
 
Hallman started the second inning with a walk and freshman third baseman Cortni Jones reached on a fielder's choice and Hallman was safe at second due to a muffed throw by the shortstop.  Hallman and Jones advanced to third and second respectively on a passed ball with no outs.  After a groundout to the shortstop and a fly out to the right field, the inning ended on a groundout to second base to strand runners on second and third to keep the game scoreless.
 
In the top of the third inning, Jenkins started the inning with a walk, followed by Harris' RBI double to left field to score Jenkins.  The Lady Wildcats made a pitching change and recorded a groundout that moved Harris to third.  After Wright walked and stole second, but Harris was thrown out at home and the final out of the inning was a groundout to second base.
 
B-CU started the bottom half of the inning with a single to the shortstop and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt to third base.  The runner advanced to third on a passed with one out in the inning, but a groundout to Harris, who throw home to catcher Kelsey Cyrus to get the lead runner for the second out of the inning.  A groundout to the pitcher ended the inning as SSU leads 1-0 after three innings.
 
The Lady Wildcats had another opportunity in the bottom of the fourth inning to score a run.  After a groundout to start the inning, a walk and an error put runners on first and second with one out.  A groundout to first base advanced the runners to second and third with two outs, but another groundout to the first baseman ended the inning to keep SSU up by a run, 1-0, after four innings.
 
The Lady Tigers had an opportunity to score another run in the top of the fifth inning.  After a groundout to start the inning, Jenkins singled down the right field line and stole second.  Harris singled to the shortstop and advanced to second to put runners on second and third with one out.  After a groundout to the shortstop for the second out, Wright walked on four straight pitches to load the bases, but a pop out ended the SSU threat and led 1-0.
 
Bethune-Cookman had another opportunity in the bottom half of the inning.  After a throwing error to put a runner on first to begin the inning, a sacrifice bunt advanced the runner to second and another sacrificed bunt advanced the runner to third base with two outs, but a groundout to the shortstop ended the inning and to keep SSU up 1-0 after five innings.
 
The Lady Wildcats started the bottom of the sixth inning with a groundout to the second baseman, but after back-to-back walks put runners on first and second with one out.  The next batter grounded out to the shortstop to get the lead runner at third for the second out and another walked loaded the bases with two outs, but a groundout to third base unassisted ended the inning.
 
B-CU had one last opportunity in the bottom of the seventh inning.  After back-to-back groundouts, the Lady Wildcats recorded back-to-back singles to put runners on first and second with two outs, but a fly out to right field ended the game and gave the Lady Tigers a one-run win.
 
The Lady Wildcats were led by Mariah Davis, Iesha Waters and Bryanna Campos each recorded a hit, while Deidra Genera (3-7) picked up the loss pitching the first two innings giving up one run on two hits with two walks, while Sabrina Anguiano pitched the final five shutout innings scattering two hits with two walks and three strikeouts.
 
Game two was called in the second inning due to rain and will start at 11 a.m. Saturday, followed by the final game of the series.
 
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