DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - Up 5-4 going into the bottom of the seventh inning, the Delaware State softball team couldn't hold on as a single from Bethune-Cookman's Karina Romero scored two runners and the Wildcats successfully came from behind to win, 6-5, Tuesday afternoon at B-CU's Sunnyland Park.
The two teams are familiar with each other as the Hornets handed the Wildcats their lone MEAC loss of the year last season before B-CU defeated Del State twice for the 2011 MEAC title. In 2012 preseason predictions, DSU was picked to win the Northern division while the Wildcats were chosen to win the MEAC Southern divison.
B-CU (5-16) got on the board right away in the first inning as junior Michelle Banuelos-Smith blasted a three-run home run to center field off of senior pitcher Casey Beighley (Los Angeles, Calif.).
DSU head coach Jeff Savage immediately made defensive changes and moved Beighley to right field and brought in sophomore Stephanie Sarris (Rohnert Park, Calif.) to pitch.
The Wildcats scored another run in the fourth as Romero led off the bottom portion of the frame with a double to left center and eventually scored off of an error from DSU freshman third baseman Bria Green (Wheatley Heights, N.Y.) to give B-CU a 4-0 lead.
The Hornets found their offensive spark in the sixth inning as Del State posted five straight singles to lead off the frame. The addition of a B-CU error allowed DSU to post a three-spot in the frame.
Senior Jordan Reid (Accokeek, Md.) continued the Hornet comeback in the top of the seventh as she singled through the right side and then stole second before scoring on a throwing error from B-CU shortstop Aurelia Gamch to tie the game at 4-4. A couple of batters later, Beighley singled to the pitcher which allowed fellow senior Tawny Reeger (Simi Valley, Calif.) to score the go ahead run.
Bethune-Cookman was quick to respond as Gamch led off the bottom of the inning with a single up the middle before moving to second on a sac bunt from Kelsey Rodney. Hornet sophomore Samantha Gross (Glasgow, Del.) then intentionally walked Banuelos-Smith. The two advanced a base on a groundout from Sabrina Ferguson. Romero then singled up the middle, beating the throw to first as Gamch crossed the plate. Banuelos-Smith was right at her heels, sliding in to beat the throw home and tack up the game's final run in the 6-5 victory.
Gross, who took over in the fourth inning, collected her first loss on the season (0-1) after pitching 2.2 innings and giving up three hits and two runs (both earned) in addition to two walks. Sarris went 3.2 innings for the Hornets and gave up four hits and just one unearned run.
Shanel Tolbert (5-12) earned her fifth win on the year, throwing a complete game with no walks, one strikeout and just two earned runs.
Delaware State was led at the plate by Reid, who went 2-for-4 on the day with two runs scored. Sophomore Stephanie Martello (Oxnard, Calif.) finished the game going 1-for-4 with two RBI and one run scored as the Hornets move to 3-3 on the short season.
Gamch led the Wildcats, going 3-for-4 with two runs, but Banuelos-Smith proved to be the player of the game as she went 1-for-3 with a home run, three RBI and two runs.
Delaware State travels to Jacksonville, Fla. for a doubleheader against Jacksonville University tomorrow beginning at 4 p.m.
The Hornets wrap up their Sunshine State swing with games against Kansas and North Florida in the second UNF Osprey Invitational this coming weekend.
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