May 11, 2007

Box Score

Severn, Md. - Holly Bussey's RBI single in the eighth inning capped an amazing 5-4 come-from-behind victory for Bethune-Cookman over Norfolk State on Thursday morning in the first round of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Softball Tournament at the Randazzo Softball Park in Severn, Md.

Norfolk State (26-24) entered the game as a heavily-favored competitor, but the Mighty Wildcats of Bethune-Cookman (22-34) were certainly up to the challenge.

The Spartans jumped on the board first in the bottom of the second frame, serving as the designated home team, when second baseman Hitomi Greene hit a ground-rule double and advanced on the next batter courtesy a sacrifice bunt. Gladys Cabeza collected one of her two hits on the day with a squeeze bunt that scored Greene for the game's opening run.

NSU first baseman Micki Rodriguez pounded out her third homerun of the year off B-CU starter Jessica Hurtado to right field that scored three more for the 4-0 Spartans advantage.

The Wildcats answered in the top of the third inning with a run of their own as senior Andrea Thomas singled to centerfield to score Trashonda Coven in order to cut the lead at 4-1.

B-CU continued their scoring in the fourth frame to cut the lead to 4-3.

All-MEAC Second Team member Holly Bussey posted the first of her two hits on the day with an RBI double to right center that brought around Breanna Shaw from first base for the 4-2 score in favor of NSU. After Brandi Holley singled to put two runners on, NSU starter Alyssa Velazquez was relieved by Leekycia Brown.

Wildcats senior Shaterra Davis stepped up with a big run-scoring single to center that scored Bussey.

NSU threatened heavily in the bottom-half of the frame when they left loaded the bases but were denied a scoring opportunity when Greene grounded out to short to end the side. NSU shortstop Jewel White hit a liner to Christina Trimble at third base, but Rodriguez was tagged out at the plate trying to score with the bases jammed, Trimble to Thomas.

B-CU tied the game up in the seventh when senior catcher Andrea Thomas collected her first homerun of the year with a deep solo shot to right center to knot the game at 4-4.

The Wildcats completed the rally for the win in the eighth as Tameika Jonas was placed on second base with the runner-in-position rule in effect for the extra-inning period. After Breanna Shaw laid down a sacrifice bunt to move her over, Bussey collected the eventual game-winning single to right that scored Jonas.

With Brown on second base for the Spartans in the eighth, Ashley Archer placed a sacrifice bunt to mover her to third--a common scene in softball extra-inning affairs. But Brown was caught off the bag on a single in the next at-bat as Hurtado flipped a toss to Trimble to tag-out the runner, and stamp-out the scoring attempt.

With the win, B-CU pitcher Jessica Hurtado upped her record to 8-11 on the season, while Brown evened her record at 10-10 for the Spartans. Brown took the loss in relief as Velazquez earned a no-decision in 3.1 innings of work in the pitcher's circle.

Hurtado worked all eight innings for the Wildcats, allowing four runs [all earned] on 10 hits while striking out three batters.

NSU had three players with multi-hit outings at the plate, including left fielder Cassandra Petway who was 3-for-4 with four putouts in the field. Behind her was Greene with a 2-for-4 showing, while Cabeza was 2-for-4 as well with a run and a RBI.

The Wildcats were led by Thomas who jumped out of her slump with a powerful 2-for-3 morning at the plate with two RBI and a run scored via the solo homerun. Bussey finished the game 2-for-4 with two RBI and a run as well.

The Wildcats will take a short rest before getting back to the field later this evening in a 7 p.m. game against the winner of the Delaware State/Florida A&M contest. The Wildcats dropped both games of a doubleheader to FAMU last week at home, and lost in a thrilling game to DSU in the MEAC Softball Round-Up.