ORMOND BEACH, Fla. – One bad first inning sent Bethune-Cookman to the elimination bracket. One good first inning led to the Wildcats' return to the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference softball tournament title game.
After giving up three runs in the opening inning in a 5-1 loss to Florida A&M, Bethune-Cookman scored five runs in the first inning to take early control and down Delaware State 9-2 Friday night.
The Wildcats (25-30) will meet Florida A&M (23-27) at 1 p.m. at Ormond Beach Sports Complex. Bethune-Cookman needs to beat FAMU twice to claim its fourth league title in five years.
“We're focused on that first game tomorrow,” said B-CU assistant coach Sabrina Ferguson. “ How we played today is behind us. We're going to come prepared tomorrow and our mindsets are good.
Kelsey Rodney, Kaitlin Alamprese, Melissa Berouty and Sophia Ortega each had two hits in a balanced Wildcat attack that capitalized on five Hornet errors.
In the first, Shelley reached on error and scored on the first of Rodney's two doubles. Then a three-run Hornet error scored Rodney, Bailey Conner and Alamprese to make it 4-0, and Ortega singled home Berouty to conclude the inning's scoring.
B-CU extended its lead to 8-1 in the fourth on RBI singles from Conner and Alamprese and when Berouty reached on error to score Alamprese. The Wildcats added an insurance in the sixth when Berouty singled home Rodney.
Sabrina Anguiano picked up the win, scattering ten hits. Shelley had a double and stole two bases
The Wildcats downed the Rattlers for their last title in 2012.
FAMU 5, B-CU 1
Florida A&M sent Bethune-Cookman to the elimination bracket after jumping out to an early 3-0 lead..
Keny Periera held the Wildcats to three hits, Amber Fullwood scored twice and Kieif Myrick had two hits for the Rattlers, who capitalized on two Wildcat errors and two walks for three runs in the opening inning. The Rattlers extended their lead to 5-0 in the fifth.
Wanda Darby scored the Wildcats' lone run on a fifth inning error. Shelley, Rodney and Ortega accounted for the B-CU hits.
Anguiano struck out seven during her six innings of relief for B-CU.
