Gamch Goes yard, Gives B-CU Boost in, 3-2, NSU Victory
May 10, 2012ORMOND BEACH, Fla. - Junior shortstop Aurelia Gamch manufactured the big hit when the Wildcats needed it the most, in the opening round game versus Norfolk State at the MEAC Softball Championships, creating the tie in the bottom of the fifth.
After opening in a pitcher's duel, Norfolk State put the first runs on the board, capitalizing on a bases-loaded situation in the top of the fifth, with as First Team All-MEAC left fielder Haley Ward hit in two runs on an RBI single to right center, putting NSU up 2-0.
Calesha Shelley battled out a 2-2 count to reach base on a bunt as the leadoff. One of two B-CU MEAC First-teamers, Gamch made it worthwhile with a two-run shot to center field to knot the score up at 2-2.
Productivity in the clutch is a role that the Wildcats have come to expect from Gamch, who hit a walk-off homer against Towson and logged four RBI at Florida A&M just last week. This time she brought the Wildcats back into the game and set the stage for the go-ahead.
"She works hard," said Cochran of Gamch, "and she has high expectations for herself. She got a good pitch and had a good swing."
Later in the same frame, with Kelsey Rodney on the base path, Cesley Tafoya showed senior leadership in collecting the RBI single to right center and assume the fifth-inning lead, 3-2.
The duel resumed, with no hits allowed in the remainder of the game, as B-CU held on for the opening round win, moving on to face North Carolina A&T in the late-evening game.
"At this point you just go one game at a time," Coach Cochran noted.
The Wildcats' Shanel Tolbert (27-24) collected the complete game win, collecting two strikeouts with two runs allowed. The sophomore hurler got into some jams, but pitched her way out several times, providing NSU with six runners left on base.
"I thought she threw really well," Cochran said. "She's a battler, and she did a great job out there today."
Karina Romero led the Wildcats with 2-3 batting, but Gamch made the biggest dent, hitting 2-4 with two RBI and a run scored.
NSU's Danielle Wright led the Spartans with2-4 hitting, complimenting Ward's 1-2 with two RBI.
"We played a great game," Cochran said, "and I thought that Norfolk played really well. It was a good game to be a part of. You have to play seven innings and we did that very well."
The two-time defending champion Wildcats will be back in action tonight at 7:00 p.m., look for recaps of the action at www.B-CUathletics.com and follow us on twitter @bcuathletics.
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