SCF Softball Opens Suncoast Play vs HCC

The SCF softball team (24-8) wrap up their 12-game homestead and open Suncoast Conference play with a series against Hillsborough Community College (HCC) (10-11) at the SCF Softball Complex on Tuesday night, March 12 at 5 and 7 pm.

Last Time Out:
The Manatees finished their second to last non-conference home series with a sweep over Broward College winning 8-3 in the first game and 7-1 in the second.

Big Conference Milestone:
Head coach Mandy Schuerman will going for another milestone as she is looking for win #50 in Suncoast conference play. Having already earning her 150th career as head coach for SCF on March 2 against CCF, in which she is at 156-91, Schuerman sits with a 49-26 overall record in the Suncoast conference, dating back to March 12, 2015 (vs Polk State).

The Squad:
At the plate, the squad of sophomores Cheyenne Nunez, Haley McFadden and Nicci Palumbo and freshmen Madi LoCastro, Makalya Benavidez, Lauren Bostwick, Sabrina "Sas" Long and Madelyn Graham continue their dominance.

Nunez, who remains as one of the team's speedster, is batting .319 with 30, 20 RBI, 27 runs and 20 stolen bases. Nunez was 1-for-5 with two RBI and two stolen bases against Broward. Nunez has 43 stolen bases in her career.

McFadden came in clutch against Broward as she finished the series 2-for-5 with a home run and three RBI. In fact, McFadden's home run was her first collegiate home run. The Orlando native is batting .262 with 16 hits, the home run and 10 RBI.

Palumbo is batting .370 with 27 hits and 11 RBI. Palumbo was 1-for-5 with a double, an RBI and three runs scored against Broward.

LoCastro is doing her job well both at the plate and on the mound. LoCastro is batting .354 with five home runs and 22 RBI while going 5-3 with a 1.80 ERA and 19 strikeouts. LoCastro was 0-for-2 with a walk and a run scored in game one while in game two, she pitched a complete game with four strikeouts for her fifth win against Broward.

Benavidez is batting .391 with 27 hits, five RBI, 19 runs and eight stolen bases. Benadivez played in both games against Broward and was 1-for-4 with a run scored.

Like Nunez, Bostwick also leads the way in baserunning. Bostwick is batting .277 with 18 hits, 10 RBI, 14 runs and 16 stolen bases. Bostwick had one of her best outings against Broward as she finished 4-for-7 with three doubles and two RBI against Broward.

Long is batting .349 with 30 hits, two home runs and 23 RBI. Long was 2-for-5 with a double, a triple, two RBI and two runs scored against Broward.

Like LoCastro, Graham possess a significant amount of power. The Bartow native is batting .396 with 19 hits, three homers and 14 RBI. Against Broward, Graham was 5-for-7 with two doubles and two RBI.

Meanwhile on the mound, freshman Kailey Christian continues her consistency on the mound as well as at the plate. Christian is 14-1 with a 1.60 ERA and 129 strikeouts while also batting .358 with 29 hits and 22 RBI. In game one against Broward, Christian threw a complete game giving up three runs (one earned) on three hits with a season-high 14 strikeouts despite going 0-for-6 with two RBI and a run scored.

Scouting Hillsborough:
The Hawks are coming off of a split defeating NJCAA Region 24 Lincoln Land Community College 11-3 in six innings before falling 2-1 to Pasco-Hernando State.

At the plate, sophomore Dominique Mannerino leads the team with a .443 batting average, three home runs and 17 RBI while fellow sophomore Aliyah Carter is batting .328 with five home runs and 20 RBI. Mannerino was 4-for-8 with two RBI and a stolen base while Carter was 0-for-5 with a walk and two runs scored.

On the mound, freshman Landry Newgent is 2-2 with 24 strikeouts. Newgent threw a complete in the 2-1 loss with 10 strikeouts.

Series History (2012-present):
The Manatees are 23-7 overall against Hawks. Last time both teams met, they split the series at home and away.

How to Keep Up:
Fans can keep up on Twitter:
SCF: @SCFSoftball
HCC: @HCCFL