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May 09, 2008
Ormond Beach, Fla. - Bethune-Cookman was unable to continue their newfound hot streak as of late as the Wildcats were eliminated by the Norfolk State Spartans by a score of 7-4 in the 2008 MEAC Softball Tournament at the Ormond Beach Sports Complex in Ormond Beach, Fla. Playing without the services of senior shortstop Holly Bussey--who was injured in the day's earlier game against FAMU, the Wildcats rallied around their coaching staff and themselves to try and continue their hot streak heading into the tournament against MEAC Southern Division foes. However, Norfolk State (22-32) had other ideas as the Spartans took over the role as underdogs yesterday, and are riding it as far as it will take them. The Spartan Nation hopes it will carry them into tomorrow's MEAC title game and beyond. The Spartans struck first in the top of the third inning as second abseman Amelia Lewis singled, followed by Gladys Cabeza's sac bunt attempt that turned into an erroe charged to B-CU (21-36) that allowed both runners to get into scoring position. That's when Rebecca Barnes lined a double to centerfield that scored both runners for the 2-0 advantage. The Maroon and Gold countered in the bottom-half of the fourth frame as senior first baseman Brandi Holley went yard for the second time today ... this time a three-run homer to left that scored Ashton Hinds and Taryn Hernandez as well. NSU bounced back in the fifth as they batted around the order to score four (4) runs and regain the lead at 6-3. Allison Garcia replaced classmate Chastity Sanders in the pitcher's circle for the 'Cats, while NSU's Cabeza kicked off the frame with an immediate triple to left. Following a few walks and back-to-back fielder's choice plays, the Spartans left the bases loaded with no one out. That allowed them to blow the doors right off the game with RBIs from Meghan Ramsey and Wittwer, both on fielder's choice. Jeannette Sauceda was called out on a third strike, but strangely enough reached base safely on a passed ball charged to B-CU backup catcher Brittani Austin.
NSU led 6-3 in the top of the sixth before Sauceda collected a RBI fielder's choice--the third of the day for the Spartans, to cross Micky Rodriguez and push the NSU lead to 7-3. The 'Cats did make a valiant comeback attempt in the end, but it fell just short. The lone run of the frame came when Holley was intentionally walked to allow second baseman Liz Parrish to score and post the final of 7-4. Allison Garcia did have a chance to win it with a last at-bat for the 'Cats, but her ground ball to third was enough for Barnes of NSU to step on the bag with the force out as the bases were jammed full of Maroon and Gold student-athletes. The win went to Rodriguez out of the bullpen as she allowed four runs (three earned) on five hits with five walks. The victory pushed her record to 8-13. B-CU's Garcia took the loss to fall to 16-20 on the campaign. Norfolk State now takes on Howard later today for the right to face Delaware State in tomorrow's MEAC title contest. |
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