Miami Gardens, FL— Another overcast day at Bobcat Field resulted in another weather delay, this time three hours. The Bobcats and Gyrenes split their Saturday doubleheader with each game hanging in the balance until the final at-bat.
In game one of the double dip Ave Maria was able to draw first as they were able to score two runs in the top of the second on a Liz Baux 2-run double to left field. The Bobcats were able to get a run in the third off an Amada Fernandez single and another in the fifth off an Anastasia Peck RBI bunt single setting up a tie ball game entering the bottom of the seventh.
Amanda Fernandez got the rally going in the seventh with a one out bunt single bringing Sasha Horton to the plate. She hit a hot shot to the shortstop and her attempt to double up Fernandez resulted in a bad throw moving the speedy left fielder into scoring position. In a gutsy call, Coach Norman put on a steal with Fernandez narrowly beating out the throw from Ave Maria backstop Sarah Bronson. On the next pitch Carissa Albizu laced a single to left easily scoring Fernandez from third giving the Bobcats a 3-2 victory. Amada Heyl earned the win for STU pitching the final two innings giving up no hits.
In game two the skies opened up causing a 2 and a half hour rain delay when the bottom of the second was about to get under way with Ave Maria leading 1-0. The rain delay took the usual pep out of the Bobcats arsenal and Ave Maria seized the opportunity. A 3 run fifth almost put the game out of reach with the Bobcats trailing 4-1 coming up in their final at-bat.
With two outs in the bottom of the seventh the Bobcats got a rally going. Danielle Borrelli and Carissa Albizu got it started with back to back singles bringing slugger Mo King to the plate. She ripped a double off the wall in deep center which cleared the bases, unfortunately it was not enough as Brenda Emerson flied out in the next at-bat bringing the rally to an end. Ave Maria held on for the 4-3 victory.
They improved over the weekend to 23-18 (7-2) on the season setting up a crucial series with SCAD this weekend with the winner having control of The Sun Conference. STU returns to action on Tuesday with a non-conference tilt against Nova Southeastern with first pitch set for 3pm. Go Bobcats!!!
