FT. MYERS, Fla. – Patty Borges' RBI double in the ninth inning gave Stony Brook a walk-off win Friday evening, defeating Bethune-Cookman, 3-2 in the third game of the FGCU/Four Points by Sheraton Invitational at the FGCU Softball Complex.
With neither team able to drive the winning run in through the eighth inning, Stony Brook (1-1) finally came through in the home-half of the ninth.
Patty Borges ripped a run-scoring double to left field, allowing designated hitter Lauren Kamachi to run in from third – after she was advanced via sacrifice bunt a play earlier by Lexie Shue.
Bethune-Cookman (2-9) had a chance for the win in the top-half of the frame, as well as the eighth inning, respectively. Twice the Wildcats got a runner on third. However, B-CU's best chance was in the eighth as centerfielder Mariah Davis was on third with just one out, but back-to-back groundouts induced by relief pitcher Jane Sallen ended the threat for the Wildcats.
Bethune-Cookman struck first in the opening inning to grab the game's first lead.
With leadoff hitter Calesha Shelley drawing a walk to begin the contest, Nereyda Gutierrez drove her in from third on a single to left field, giving the Cats an early 1-0 advantage.
The Wildcats widened their advantage at 2-0 in the fourth.
Sophomore second baseman Kaitlin Alamprese kick-started the at-bat with a double to left. Following back-to-back fly outs, it was Bryanna Campos delivering a RBI double down the left field line to cross Alamprese for the score. That would close the books on Stony Brook starter Maddy Neales, as she exited the game responsible for both B-CU runs on four hits and three walks, adding a pair of strikeouts.
However, the Seawolves would finally get to B-CU starter Sabrina Anguiano in the home-half of the seventh inning.
A two-out rally, beginning with a walk earned by Alexandra Pisciotta, paved the way for left fielder Diane Caruso to deliver a run-scoring single up the middle that plated Kellie Reynolds from third. Reynolds reached earlier in the inning on a fielder's choice.
The Seawolves scored again when Shayla Giosia singled to right center, bringing in Pisciotta for the game-tying run.
Stony Brook was led offensively by Caruso's three-hit evening, as well as Borges with an equally impressive 3-for-4 showing at the dish. Both players collected a single RBI apiece.
B-CU was led by five players with a hit each, including Gutierrez and Campos with run-scoring hits.
The win went to Seawolves reliever Sallen who tossed 5 1/3 innings in the circle, allowing just one hit and fanning four batters. With the victory, she evened her record for the season at 1-1.
As for Bethune-Cookman, it was Anguiano accepting the loss, falling to 1-8 on the campaign. She finished with a complete game for the Wildcats, throwing 8 1/3 innings, allowing just three runs (two earned) and spreading out eight hits with four strikeouts. The Hacienda Heights, California sophomore was spinning a gem for the Cats until the two runs in the seventh.
B-CU will look to end its current four-game skid Saturday back at the FGCU/Four Points by Sheraton Invitational hosted by Florida Gulf Coast. The Wildcats' day includes contests against homestanding FGCU and Oakland. The first game is set for 10 a.m., against the Eagles of FGCU.
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