March 4, 2007

Final Stats

Boca Raton, Fla. - Bethune-Cookman University couldn't escape on the final day of the FAU Worth Invitational with a win as they fell to Columbia University by a count of 7-2 at the FAU Softball Stadium in Boca Raton, Fla.

After a tough loss on Friday to the Columbia Lions (2-3), Bethune-Cookman looked to bounce back today with a fresh arm on the mound and fresh bats at the plate. B-CU head coach Chris Cochran, in her first year with the program, elected to go with junior transfer Jessica Hurtado in the circle for the `Cats.

With a great pitcher's duel going on through the first two-and-a-half innings, Columbia broke it open in the bottom of the third frame as the Lions used a two-out rally to score the first two runs of the game. CU's rally began with a single from Kim Krisman, followed by a single through the left side from Keli Leong. The next batter [Danielle Pineda] plated both runners on base with a triple through the left side that found its way to the back of the left field fence.

B-CU (5-13) tied the game up in the top of the fifth inning when freshman Trashonda Coven singled and advanced on a wild pitch to move into scoring at second base. After Breanna Shaw singled, Coven then scored the first run of the game for B-CU with another wild pitch issued by Columbia starter, Aimee Kemp.

Davis would help B-CU tie the game after she scored on an error charged to the CU infield.

Columbia, however, would prove to be stubborn as the Lions plated three more runs in the bottom of the fifth inning, started by an RBI double from Ciji Rich--her only hit of the day. Valerie Smith would double in a run, and designated player Lacie Nelson's RBI double down the line would bring in a 5-2 score after five frames away.

The Lions plated two more runs off B-CU's Hurtado as she would finish the day giving up seven runs (six earned) on 11 hits by CU. Hurtado dropped her record down to 3-6 with the loss.

The win went to Columbia's Kemp who improved her record to 1-2 with the first win of the year. She struck-out six Wildcats on the day while allowing two runs (one earned) and five hits scattered throughout.

B-CU was led at the plate by five Wildcats with a hit each, while Breanna Shaw and Trashonda Coven each scored a run, respectively.

The `Cats will now get ready to return home to Daytona Beach for a contest against the MEAC's newest member, Winston-Salem State on Wednesday, Mar. 7 at Sunnyland Park. The contest is a doubleheader affair, and is slated to begin at 2 p.m.