ORMOND BEACH, Fla. - Junior pitcher Kenya Pereira tossed a six-hitter, yielding a late unearned run, while Jessica Nathan and Alexis Day drove in runs in the third and sixth innings, as Florida A&M edged rival Bethune-Cookman, 2-1 to advance to the championship game of the 2016 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Softball Tournament.
Pereira (15-14) went the distance Friday, fanning four hitters with one walk in seven innings for the win, while B-CU's Sabrina Anguiano (11-12) took the loss after scattering six hits, with four strikeouts in seven innings.
FAMU got on the board first in the top of the third, when Raven Moseley hit a two-out single, followed by Jessica Nathan, who drove her in with her school record 10th triple of the year for a 1-0 lead.
In the top of the sixth, Alexis Day singled to center, driving home Tashayla Irvis, who reached on a two-out single for a 2-0 lead.
Then in the bottom of the seventh, Cookman's Bryanna Campos scored on a two-out throwing error by third baseman Amber Fullwood for 2-1 score.
Pereira then struck out Iesha Water on a 3-2 count to end the game.
Jessica Nathan and Alexis Day each finished with two hits and an RBI! While Raven Moseley and Tashayla Irvis each had a hit and a run scored.
FAMU (26-27) moves on to Saturday's 1:00 p.m. Championship game, making their third straight Finals appearance, where they will vie for their 12th MEAC title.
