DeLAND, Fla. - Fresh off a solid week of home games, Wildcat Softball took their game just down the road, to open play at the Stetson Invitational. The Wildcats opened the day with the University of Maine, hitting big in the top of the fifth inning to overcome the Black Bears, 4-1. In the day's final game, B-CU couldn't contain Stetson's hitting attack, falling 10-3.
The Wildcats opened the day on a high note, facing the Black Bears of Maine, and making the first strike in the very first inning. Ashton Hinds scored the run from second base on a throwing error by the Maine second baseman. B-CU wrapped up the inning with the early 1-0 lead.
Although the Black Bears showed consistent hitting, the Wildcats were able to contain them until the bottom of the third, when Maine's Whitney Spangler singled up the middle to bring Lindsey Jenkins across the plate for UM's only run of the game.
The Wildcats took a strong position late in the game, hitting big in the top of the fifth inning. With Allison Garcia reaching base on a fielder's choice, Michelle Banuelos-Smith stepped into the batters box to make a big play for the Wildcats. With two outs down, Banuelos-Smith fired a three-run home run over the center field fence, giving B-CU a 4-1 lead. That was the final score after B-CU held Maine to just two hits in the final three innings.
Allison Garcia topped the Wildcats, collecting 2 hits apiece. Defensively, Joana Hernandez continued to play a consistent role, getting 10 runners out at first. Meanwhile, Allison Garcia came in for the bottom of the fifth inning to make the save, finishing with 1 strikeout.
Returning for the final game to face tournament-host Stetson, the Lady Wildcats ran up against a big challenge. Looking to avoid a repeat of the last meeting (B-CU won 3-2), Stetson brought their bats, collecting 13 hits, set off by a huge first inning for the Hatters, scoring five runs to start the game, followed by five more over the next two innings. The Wildcats never really got on track offensively and struggled to shut down the Stetson offensive until the fourth inning.
B-CU did get in on the hitting, in the bottom of the third. Allison Garcia singled to right field, batting in both Cesley Tafoya and Aurelia Gamch, with the help of a fielding error by the right fielder. The Wildcats added another in the bottom of the fourth, with a Cesley Tafoya double to center field pushing Aurelia Gamch across the plate. B-CU shut down the Hatters in the final four innings, but failed to produce more offense after the fourth, sending the score final at 10-5.
Allison Garcia, Allison Garcia helped out with 5 assists. Garcia (5-6) started and finished the game at pitcher, earning 5 strikeouts.
The Wildcats (7-11) continue their work in DeLand tomorrow, facing another matchup with Maine at 11 a.m., and then heading right into their next game against Appalachian State at 1:30 p.m.
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