Walk-Off Wins Highlight Sophomore Night for Falcons
Daytona State College 14, College of Central Florida 6
Daytona State College exploded for eight runs in the sixth inning to walk off College of Central Florida in run-rule fashion, sealing a 14-6 victory in Game One.
CF struck first in the opening inning, scoring twice on early hits to take a 2-0 lead.
The Falcons answered immediately. Juleah Patterson reached to spark the inning, and Azlynn Gomes followed with a double to bring her home. Gabby Giugliano then delivered a two-RBI single to center, putting Daytona State in front 3-2 after the first.
Daytona State extended the lead in the third. Alexa Edmands singled in a run, and Maggie Castaneda followed with a two-run double to push the advantage to 6-2.
CF chipped away in the fourth and sixth innings, taking advantage of defensive miscues and timely hitting to tie the game at 6-6 heading into the bottom half of the sixth.
That’s when the Falcons delivered a decisive response in the bottom of the sixth.
Aurielle Reavis started the rally with a single to left field and immediately applied pressure, advancing to second on an error before moving to third on a wild pitch. From there, Azlynn Gomes brought her home with an RBI single down the left field line to get Daytona State on the board in the inning.
The momentum continued as Destiny Horcajo reached on a bunt attempt that was misplayed, putting two runners on. Ashley Bert then reached on a fielder’s choice as the Falcons continued to extend the inning and load the bases through pressure and defensive miscues.
Gabby Giugliano delivered the big swing, lining a single to left center, driving in both Horcajo and Gomes to break the game open. The offensive surge kept building as Giugliano swiped second and Ashley Bert came around to score on the play, pushing the lead even further.
After a pair of strikeouts slowed the inning briefly, Daytona State kept the pressure on. Nyree James was hit by a pitch, and moments later Reavis came through again with a single to shortstop that plated Giugliano and kept the lineup moving.
The final blows came with continued aggressiveness on the bases. Reavis moved into scoring position, and Nyree James scored on a wild pitch, extending the rally. Azlynn Gomes then capped the game with a double to left center, driving in both Reavis and Patterson to complete the eight-run explosion and secure the run-rule finish.
Offensive Highlights
Azlynn Gomes : 3-for-5, 2 doubles, 4 RBI, 2 runs scored
Gabby Giugliano: 4-for-4, 4 RBI, 2 runs scored
Aurielle Reavis: 2-for-5, RBI, 2 runs scored
Alexa Edmands: 2-for-4, RBI
Maggie Castaneda: 1-for-3, double, 2 RBI
Juleah Patterson: 1-for-2, 2 runs scored, 3 walks
Destiny Horcajo: 1-for-2, 3 runs scored, 2 walks
Pitching Performance
Ava Unser worked 5.0 innings, allowing four runs (three earned) while striking out three and keeping Daytona State in position to rally. Alexis Miranda provided relief in the sixth, and Kaylee Martineau closed out the final outs as the Falcons completed the run-rule victory.
Daytona State College 2, College of Central Florida 1
Daytona State College walked it off in the bottom of the seventh to complete a late comeback and secure a 2-1 victory over College of Central Florida in Game Two.
The game opened as a tight, defensive battle, with both pitching staffs keeping offenses in check through the early innings. CF broke through in the fifth, with a single to right field to bring home an unearned run and take a 1-0 lead.
The Falcons responded in the sixth. Aurielle Reavis sparked the inning with a base hit and later came around to score when Azlynn Gomes lined a single down the left field line, tying the game at 1-1.
In the bottom of the seventh, the Falcons delivered delivered the game-winning hit. Ashley Bert led off the inning with a double and moved to third on a flyout to left from Giugliano. Alexa Edmands came through with a clutch single to center field, driving in Bert and sealing the walk-off win for Daytona State.
Daytona State finished with six hits in the game and executed in key moments to earn the series split.
Offensive Highlights
Aurielle Reavis: 1-for-3, run scored
Ashley Bert: 1-for-3, double, run scored
Azlynn Gomes : 1-for-3, RBI
Alexa Edmands: 1-for-3, RBI (walk-off)
Gabby Giugliano: 1-for-2
Nyree James: 1-for-2
Pitching Performance
Kaylee Martineau delivered a complete-game effort, tossing 7.0 innings while allowing just one unearned run on seven hits. She struck out three and walked two, holding CF scoreless over the final two innings to keep Daytona State within striking distance before the walk-off finish.
