April 27, 2008

Box Score

Tallahassee, Fla. - Florida A&M scored three runs in the sixth inning to snatch a come-from-behind victory from Bethune-Cookman University, 6-5 in MEAC softball action on Sunday at the Lady Rattlers Softball Complex in Tallahassee, Fla.

Pitching was strong and the series was as competitive as ever with three great games this weekend between the Florida A&M University Lady Rattlers and Bethune-Cookman University Wildcats. The hitting power was tough both ways as timely hits proved to be the difference in this contest, much as it did yesterday.

FAMU (13-37, 3-6 MEAC) jumped on the board first as they scored two runs off B-CU starting pitcher Allison Garcia.

The Lady Rattlers' Ashley Smith walked and Melissa Oliphant followed it up with a single to allow left fielder Joyce Harold to bring in both runs with a double to left field. That put FAMU on top, 2-0 after two innings of softball.

B-CU (19-33, 9-3 MEAC) immediately responded in the third inning with senior shortstop Holly Bussey collecting a RBI single up the middle to score freshman Ashton Hinds from second base. That was followed by RBIs from Christina Trimble and Brittani Austin to put the Wildcats ahead at 3-2.

The `Cats upped their margin moments later when Hinds singled up the middle in her second hit of the frame to bring in catcher Liz Parrish from third. That made the score 5-2 in favor of the Maroon and Gold.

Garcia settled down in the pitcher's circle for B-CU until the Lady Rattlers struck for a run in the fifth. Rhianna Green singled and teammate Ashley Smith did the same to put a runner in scoring position. That was just enough for FAMU second baseman Nikki Terryn to post a RBI single to score Green, cutting the Maroon and Gold lead to 5-4.

A big come-from-behind inning would only be the latest in the great series history between these two perennial MEAC Southern Division powers. And that's exactly what happened for the Lady Rattlers on this day.

Harold singled for FAMU to start the inning, and Shayla Clark doubled to score her two plays later. That tied the game, but Green singled again to load the bases for teammate Alacia Strafford as she hit a two-run scoring double to put the Lady Rattlers at the final of 6-5.

The win went to FAMU's Tiffany Chan in relief efforts of Oliphant. Chan threw five strong innings in the circle, allowing just one run (unearned) on five hits with four walks. The loss went to Garcia who dropped to 15-17 on the ear as she went six innings with six earned runs off 11 hits allowed.

B-CU was led at the plate by three players with two hits, including Holley, Bussey and Parrish.

Bethune-Cookman will play their last regular season game of the year on Wednesday, Apr. 30 as they host the University of Central Florida at Sunnyland Park at 1 p.m. in Daytona Beach, Fla. For more information, please call the B-CU Office of Sports Information at (386) 481-2206.