SCF SB Claims Home Sweep vs ASA Miami

After being on the road for 10 straight games with five on neutral grounds, the SCF softball team (7-5) were able to pull away with a clean sweep at the SCF Softball Complex as they defeated ASA Miami (0-4) in their first ever matchup 5-1 and 9-1 (5) as their home openers.

"We still have a ways to go to be the team we want to be," said head coach Mandy Schuerman. "But it was a good home opener."

Game One:
For game one, Schuerman sent sophomore Ashlee Zientek to the mound while ASA head coach David Fernandez sent sophomore Ashley Alfonso to counter.

The Manatees would get on the board first after freshman Samantha Hampton sent sophomore Lauren Lightbody home with a sacrifice fly for a 1-0 lead.

Meanwhile on the mound, Zientek was continuing her dominance through the first four innings of the game as she was able to get out of a bases loaded jams in the second and put six strikeouts on the board.

In the bottom of the fourth, the Manatees would add on to their lead as freshman Summer Glenn would send classmate Kristin Kopp home with an RBI single. After Lightbody reached first on an error and classmate Emily Hughes was hit by a pitch to load the bases, Hampton took among herself to bring in Glenn and Lightbody with a bases loaded double to left for a 4-0 SCF lead.

The Silver Storm were able to get on the board after an RBI double by freshman Ashley Jarquin, but the Manatees would answer back in the bottom of the sixth off of a Hughes RBI single that brought in Lightbody for a 5-1 lead, which turned out to be the final run of the game before Zientek sealed the deal.

Zientek would get the win after throwing a complete game, giving up one run of six hits with one walk and eight strikeouts. Zientek was also 1-for-3 at the plate. Zientek is 2-1 on the season.

"I just thought about hitting my spots and throwing strikes to help my team out and not giving ASA the opportunity to score so we can score before them," said Zientek on her complete game.

Alfonso would be credited with the loss after giving up all five runs (three earned) on nine hits with two walks and one strikeout in six innings.

Lightbody was the lone player that hit a multi-hit game as she finished 2-for-4 with three runs scored and three stolen bases, while Hampton was the lone Manatee that had a multi-RBI game finishing 1-for-3 with three RBI.

Hughes (1-for-3 one RBI), Kopp (1-for-2, one run and a walk), Glenn (1-for-2, one RBI, one run and one walk), sophomore Madelyn Graham (1-for-3) and freshman Madi Schaefer (1-for-3) had the Manatees other lone hits.

Freshman Emily Torres had the Silver Storm's only multi-hit game as she finished 2-for-3.

Game Two:
For game two, Schuerman sent freshman Ally Hulme to the mound while Fernandez sent sophomore Katherine Sugelio to counter.

In the bottom of the first, the Manatees had one of the biggest innings this season beginning with Lightbody leadoff single before stealing second. After Hampton drew a walk, freshman Maddie Koczersut would hit into a fielder's choice and send Lightbody home to start the inning. Kopp, freshman Lilly Salazar and Schaefer would hit back-to-back-to-back singles to give the Manatees a 5-0 lead. After sophomore Madi LoCastro drew a walk, the Manatees batted around after Lightbody hit a single to load the bases for Hughes who would hit a fly ball on a fielding error to send Schaefer, LoCastro and Lightbody home for a 6-0 lead. In the bottom of the second, Kopp would the Manatees final run with an RBI single to center to send Koczersut home for a 9-0 SCF lead to help attempt to secure the eight-run mercy rule.

At the top of the fourth, the Silver Storm would get on the board after a solo shot by Jarquin for her first home run of the season.

After that, Hulme was able to shake it off and pull away with the mercy rule in effect for the win and the complete sweep over ASA.

Hulme is now at 3-2 on the season after throwing a complete game, giving up one run on five hits with two walks and two strikeouts.

Sugilio is dubbed with the loss after throwing a four inning complete game, giving up nine runs (six earned) on nine hits with two walks and one strikeout.

Kopp and Lightbody were both 3-for-3. Kopp added two RBI, a run scored and a stolen base, while Lightbody scored three runs and added three stolen bases. Kopp finished the series 3-for-5 with two RBI and two runs scored, while Lightbody finished 5-for-7 with six runs scored and six stolen bases.

"It felt really good for us to sweep the series," said Zientek. "It gave us a confidence boost going into this upcoming week and it gives us more of a motivation to win for us to get into conference and kicking butt."

"It was a good day," said Lightbody on her performance. "It's easier when you're quick, but it feels good when you get the extra base to help your teammates move further."

Schaefer was 1-for-3 with two RBI, one stolen base and a run scored. The local product of Lakewood Ranch finished the series 2-for-5 with two RBI and two runs scored.

Koczersut (1-for-3, one RBI and two runs) and Salazar (1-for-3, one RBI, one run scored and a stolen base) had the Manatees other two lone hits.

Jarquin led the Silver Storm with their only multi-hit game as she finished 2-for-2 with a home run.

Other Suncoast Scores:
#3 FSW (8-1) hasn't played since Tuesday, February 11 in which they swept Miami Dade 14-0 and 9-1 both by the mercy rule. The Buccaneers will return to action against ASA Miami Tuesday night, February 18 at 4 and 6 pm.

St. Pete College (9-5) fell in their doubleheader to #2 Central Florida (15-0) by scores of 6-1 and 10-0 (5). The Titans will be back in action Tuesday night, February 18 at 4 and 6 pm against Pasco-Hernando State (3-5).

Polk State (4-6) fell in their double to #14 Indian River State (16-0) by scores of 6-2 and 9-1 (6). The Eagles will be back in action in a rematch against IRS Wednesday night, February 19 at 4 and 6 pm.

Hillsborough (8-8) swept St. Johns River (5-7) 15-0 (5) and 4-2. The Hawks will be back in action Tuesday night, February 18 at 5 and 7 pm against Western University. Western University is a part of Ontario University Athletics (OUA) and are located in London, Ontario, Canada.

South Florida State (5-9) swept Pasco-Hernando State 2-1 and 9-3. The Panthers will be back in action Monday afternoon, February 17 at 3 and 5 pm.

Up Next:
The Manatees will remain at home for their next two games as they welcome Palm Beach State (2-14) to the SCF Softball Complex.

*Side notes: This was the first postgame interview I had with coach Schuerman for the 2020 season and the first interviews with Zientek and Lightbody.