SCF Softball Claims Series Over Lake Sumter

The SCF softball team (14-8) claimed their second series this season as they swept Lake Sumter State (13-11) 6-4 and 5-2 to claim the overall series sweep as part of their eight-game homestead. With the wins, the Manatees are now 27-2 against the Lakehawks.

Game One:
Head coach Mandy Schuerman sent freshman Samantha Hampton to the mound to start game one, while Lake Sumter head coach Jay Miller sent sophomore Brandi Davis to counter.

After the first two innings went scoreless for both teams, the Manatees would get on the board first in the bottom of the third that began with freshman Kristin Kopp reaching base on a fielding error before moving to second on a sacrifice bunt by classmate Lauren Lightbody. After freshman Lilly Salazar reached on an error, classmate Maddie Koczersut would send a single to center to bring in Kopp for a 1-0 lead. Freshman Lauren Hutcherson would then go for a suicide squeeze play and send Salazar home for a 2-0 SCF lead.

In the bottom of the fourth, the Manatees would get some big flies from big bats off of sophomore Madi LoCastro and Kopp as they hit back-to-back solo home runs. It was LoCastro's first home run of the season, eighth in her career and Kopp's first collegiate home run. After a Lightbody double and Salazar reaching on a fielding error, Lightbody would score on the same fielding error. After Koczersut drew a walk, Hutcherson would send Salazar home with a single to third for a 6-0 SCF lead.

At the top of the fifth, the Lakehawks would try and mount a comeback after an RBI singles by freshman Bailee Sims sophomore Casey Allen and an RBI double by freshman Emily Kolwicz. This signaled the end for Hampton as sophomore Ashlee Zientek would come in for relief. After Kolwicz scored on a passed ball, Zientek was able to get out of a bases loaded situation to end the top half of the inning before clearing the rest of the game for the win.

Hampton would secure the win after giving up four runs (three earned) on eight hits in four innings. Hampton is now 3-2 on the year.

Zientek would get a save after giving up a hit with three walks and seven strikeouts in three innings. Zientek was also 1-for-1 at the plate.

Davis would get the loss after four innings giving up six runs (three earned) on seven hits with two walks.

Freshman Kayla Reichardt threw a scoreless inning with three strikeouts, while sophomore Sarah Grindrod threw a scoreless inning of her own.

Kopp and Koczersut would each have two hits, an RBI and a walk. Kopp (2-for-2) added two runs scored.

LoCastro ended up 1-for-4 with the home run.

Lightbody and Hutcherson had the final two hits for the Manatees.

Kolwicz and sophomore Jennifer Bryant each had two hits.

Game Two:
For game two, Schuerman sent freshman Ally Hulme to the mound, while Miller sent sophomore Cissy Doolittle to counter.

After a scoreless inning, the Manatees would once again get on the board first that began with back-to-back singles by Zientek and LoCastro, who entered in relief at the top of the second. After a sacrifice bunt by Hughes, Lightbody would send a single to left to send Zientek home for the first run. After Salazar was hit by a pitch to load the bases, Koczersut was hit by a pitch and brought in LoCastro to load the bases again. Hutcherson would then draw a bases loaded walk and bring in Lightbody for a 3-0 SCF lead.

The Lakehawks would get on the board at the top of the third after an RBI single by Allen. Two scoreless innings later, the Manatees would extend their 3-1 in the bottom of the fourth. After a leadoff double by Hutcherson, freshman Madi Schaefer would hit a single to center before Zientek sent a single to left to bring in Hutcherson before LoCastro sent a double to right for a 5-1 SCF lead.

The Lakehawks would bring in one more run after an RBI double by freshman Genesis Aviles to make it 5-2 SCF, but it was all that they could muster together as they pulled away with the win.

Hulme would end up with a no-decision after a scoreless inning with one strikeout.

LoCastro would end up 3-2 on the year after throwing six innings, giving up two runs (one earned) on seven hits with one walk and four strikeouts. LoCastro was also 2-for-3 with an RBI. LoCastro would end up finishing 3-for-7 with a home run and two RBI in the series.

Doolittle would fall two 0-2 after four and a third, giving up five runs on eight hits with five walks and one strikeout, while freshman Skyler Gill threw one and two-third scoreless innings.

Aside from LoCastro, Lightbody (2-for-4), Hutcherson (2-for-3) and Zientek (2-for-2) each two hits and an RBI. Lightbody added a stolen base, while Hutcherson and Zientek each added a walk. at the end of the series, Lightbody finished 3-for-6 with two runs scored and an RBI, while Hutcherson finished  3-for-6 with a run scored and an RBI and Zientek went 3-for-3 with an RBI and a walk.

Schafer (1-for-3, one run scored) had the team's final hit.

Bryant and Aviles would each go 2-for-3 each with Aviles adding one RBI. Bryant finished 4-for-6 on the series.

Notes:
Schuerman earned career wins 191 and 192 and needs eight to reach 200 wins in her career.

Up Next:
The Manatees remain at home for the next six games as they welcome a pair of Midwest teams to the SCF Softball Complex, Oakland CC and Kalamazoo Valley CC. The Manatees will play Oakland CC Saturday afternoon, February 29 at noon and 2 pm before playing Kalamazoo Valley CC Monday late afternoon, March 2 at 4 and 6 pm.