TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Bethune-Cookman opened the 2013 season
Saturday with a pair of two-run losses Saturday at the Panhandle Invitational.
North Florida downed the Wildcats 3-1, then Jacksonville
posted a 2-0 decision.
Aurelia Gamch had four hits for B-CU in the two games,
including a 3-3 effort in the opener.
Against North Florida, the Wildcats got on the board in the
seventh when Michelle Banuelos-Smith led off with a double and scored on a
throwing error after Simone Ceasar singled.
B-CU had a pair of early scoring opportunities. In the
first, Gamch hit a one-out double but was left stranded while in third, Calesha
Shelley singled and stole second, but
was thrown out at home trying to score on Gamch's single.
Against Jacksonville, B-CU loaded the bases in the first
when Shelley bunt singled, Ceasar singled and Banuelos-Smith singled, but the
Wildcats couldn't capitalize.
Banuelos-Smith and Kelsey doubled and walked to lead off the
fourth, but were left stranded.
Shanel Tolbert picked up the loss in both games, giving up
three earned runs in 10.1 innings. Samantha Gale worked two scoreless innings
in relief.
B-CU faces North Florida again Sunday morning, then
concludes its tournament schedule with nationally-ranked Florida State.