B-CC downs FAMU to defend MEAC softball title

ORMOND BEACH, FL -- Bethune-Cookman College shutout Florida A&M 5-0 to win its second-straight Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference softball title Sunday at Ormond Beach Sports Complex.

The Wildcats (43-20) now advance to the South Regional Play-In game vs. Tennessee Tech - the Ohio Valley Conference champion - Friday and Saturday in Cookesville, Tenn., in a best-of-three series for a berth to the NCAA.

In the championship game, Jessica Cabato threw a three-hit shutout and delivered a pair of key offensive plays.

After the Rattlerettes forced a second game with a 3-0 victory in the double-elimination tournament, Cabato threw a three-hitter with no walks and three strikeouts while breaking an 11-inning B-CC scoreless drought on a gutsy double-steal call that put B-CC ahead.

Cabato, MEAC rookie of the year, led off the fourth with a double and advanced to third on a bunt single by Darcy Villalobos.With Sabrina Harrison at bat, Villalobos began the double-steal play and committed FAMU catcher Shakaye Peters to make the throw. Villalobos was put out in the rundown, but gave Cabato just enough time to beat the throw to the plate.

The next inning, B-CC put together a three-run outburst to take control. Lamia Scott made it 2-0 on a squeeze play bunt by Cabato; Latasha Robertson scored on a throwing error and Harrison singled home Villalobos.

The Wildcats added an insurance run the next inning when Anna Cindric led off with a triple and her pinch runner, Kim James, scored on a fielderÕs choice. In the opener, FAMU's Tenyse Tasby held B-CC to three hits and scored three runs in the eighth. Miranda Mayse scattered six hits.

B-CC Coach Laura Watten earned most outstanding coach honors, while FAMU pitcher Tenyse Tasby, who pitched all seven games for the Rattlers, was named the tournamentÕs most outstanding performer.

Picked for the all-tournament team were: Lavita Cunningham of Morgan State, Danielle Cherry of Morgan State, Tiya Hines of FAMU, Miranda Mayse of B-CC, Cheretta Stevenson of North Carolina A&T, Tonya Minnick of FAMU, Sabrina Harrison of B-CC, Ebonie McClintock of Norfolk State, Lamia Scott of B-CC and Michelle Patterson of Norfolk State.

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