GULFPORT, Miss. --The Prairie View A&M Lady Panthers took a 3-0 lead in the first inning and never surrendered the advantage on the way to a 6-1 victory against the Bethune-Cookman Lady Wildcats on Wednesday.

Sophomore Cailin Massey (10-5) started in the circle and picked up the win for Prairie View A&M (27-18). The right-hander went seven innings, giving up one run on five hits, allowing one walk and striking out two.

At the plate, the Lady Panthers were paced by junior Audrey Garcia, who went 3-for-3 on the day with two RBI. Sophomore Rayna Lewis furnished a noteworthy day at the plate as well, going 1-for-3 with a triple and an RBI. Junior Biviana Figueroa also helped out for Prairie View A&M, putting together one hit in two trips to the plate while adding a double and two walks.

HOW IT HAPPENED

The Lady Panthers got on the board immediately, starting their scoring with one run in the bottom of the first inning.

The Lady Wildcats then gained ground, narrowing the lead to 3-1 until the Lady Panthers expanded their advantage in the third. Prairie View A&M scored three runs in the frame, buoyed by a two-run single off the bat of Garcia, which brought the score to 6-1 in favor of the Lady Panthers. The score remained 6-1 for the rest of the game, as Prairie View A&M coasted to the win.

GAME NOTES

» Garcia compiled three base hits in the game for Prairie View A&M.
» Prairie View A&M's highest scoring inning was the third, when it pushed three runs across.
» Prairie View A&M grabbed a 3-0 lead in the bottom half of the first and didn't surrender that lead for the remainder of the game.
» The Lady Panthers out-hit the Lady Wildcats at a 7-5 clip.
» Prairie View A&M pitchers limited Bethune-Cookman to just 1-for-5 (.200) with runners in scoring position.
» Prairie View A&M pitchers faced 28 Bethune-Cookman hitters in the game, allowing eight ground balls and 11 fly balls while striking out two.
» The Lady Panthers drew five walks from Bethune-Cookman pitching.
» Garcia led the Lady Panthers at the plate, going 3-for-3 with two RBI.
» Bethune-Cookman was led offensively by junior Ciera Clark, who went 1-for-2 with a double.
» Freshman Victoria Guzman led the Lady Wildcats pitching staff, throwing 3.1 scoreless innings.