DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Bethune-Cookman softball senior Calesha Shelley scored from second base on a two-out, infield single, giving the Wildcats the go-ahead run in the bottom of the sixth and sealing the come-from-behind 7-6 victory over Florida A&M on Senior Day in Daytona.
The three-game sweep of the rival Rattlers earned B-CU a two-seed heading into next week's Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference tournament.
The Wildcats (18-27, 11-3 MEAC) trailed 6-0 after an inning and a half, but Mariah Davis opened the fourth for B-CU with a stand up triple to right field, followed by a sacrifice fly to right field from Sophia Ortega, scoring Davis and putting the 'Cats on the board for the first time.
With one out, Melissa Berouty walked before a Geena Capitini single to left field put two runners on and a Shamaria Engram single to left loaded the bases for B-CU.
Wanda Darby added to the hit trend with a RBI single to send base as Capitini crossed home plate after a passed ball. The Wildcats added a fourth and final run in the inning on a Bryanna Campos sac fly to center field, scoring Engram, as B-CU chipped away at the Rattler lead scoring four runs on four hits in the bottom of the fourth inning.
After a 1-2-3 inning for the Wildcats on the defensive end, a Capitini sac fly in the fifth inched B-CU one run closer to the FAMU lead as the 'Cats trailed 6-5 after five complete.
With a Rattler pitching change, Darby led off the sixth with a single to second, her second hit of the day. She then stole second and advanced to third on a groundout before scoring on Kaitlin Alamprese's ground out to tie the game. Shelley then got aboard on a bunt single and stole second in typical Calesha fashion. Davis then followed with her third hit of the day, a single to third. The throw home to get Shelley wasn't in time giving B-CU the go-ahead run in the bottom of the sixth.
Entering the final inning FAMU (13-35, 7-7) as able to get runners on second and third with two outs, but a pop out to Engram ended the threat.
Davis the Rookie, led the B-CU “Senior Day” offensive force, going a perfect 3-for-3 at the plate with a double, triple, a walk and two runs. Darby also finished with a multi-hit game finishing 2-for-3 at the plate with an RBI and a stolen base.
Sabrina Anguiano (15-23) pitched the final six innings to pick up the win for the 'Cats. She allowed five hits, three walks and an unearned run, striking out one.
After finishing the regular season No. 2 in the southern division, Bethune-Cookman awaits seeding for the 2015 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference tournament which is held May 7-9 in Ormond Beach, Florida.
