March 20, 2012
Game 1 Box Score
Game 2 Box Score
Post-Game Interviews
By Dan Ryan
B-CUAthletics.com
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - In Aurelia Gamch's mind, her final at-bat in Tuesday's first game of a doubleheader with Towson was the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference championship game. If that's the case, May's going to a be a dramatic month if it features anything along the lines of Gamch's walk-off, three-run homer that sparked Bethune-Cookman's 3-2, 1-0 sweep of Towson at Sunnyland Park.
Gamch's heroics, thirteen consecutive scoreless innings from pitcher Shanel Tolbert and a day of error-free defense lifted the Wildcats (12-20) to their sixth consecutive victory.
Towson (13-13) had a 2-0 lead thanks to an opening inning homer by Briana Jones and a strong pitching effort from Katie Lagmai, who struck out eight. B-CU had several base running miscues, but Tolbert's four-hitter kept the Wildcats within striking distance entering the final inning.
With one out, Amari Foster doubled and Calesha Shelley drew a walk. Gamch followed with the shot to center to give B-CU the improbable victory.
"[Catcher] Sabrina Ferguson told us to make it like this was the last inning of the MEAC championship game," Gamch said. "In my mind, that's what it was. It was amazing"
It was the junior's first round-tripper of the season and her first-ever walk-off.
"She does have some power," B-CU coach Chris Cochran said of her shortstop." She got a good pitch and hit it. None of it would have been possible if the other players got on base. The game's seven innings and you have to play all seven innings."
Gamch was also responsible for B-CU's offense in the second game, scoring on a first-inning wild pitch. From there, it was Tolbert, who scattered four hits with one walk and three strikeouts en route to her second shutout in four games.
"She's giving us a chance to win," Cochran said. "That's what you want from your pitcher. You want someone who can control the game on the mound." Tolbert's given up just three earned runs in this winning streak that includes five victories by three runs or less. B-CU's now 4-2 in one-run games.
"My confidence has been boosted a lot," Tolbert said. "This winning streak feels great. Let's keep on winning."
B-CU hosts a Thursday twinbill with Hartford beginning at 2 p.m.
