SCF Softball Readies for LSSC

The SCF softball team (12-8) returns home to the SCF Softball Complex for a eight-game homestead as they start it off with a doubleheader against Lake Sumter State (13-9) Thursday night, February 27 at 5 and 7 pm.

Last Time Out:
The Manatees are coming off of a sweep over Palm Beach State where they won by scores of 3-0 and 9-6. It was officially the last time the Manatees will play PBSC as they are cutting their softball program for women's soccer. The Panthers softball program was around for 45 years.

Freshmen Lauren Lightbody and Lilly Salazar continue to bring speed for the Manatees. Lightbody is currently batting .444 with eight RBI, while Salazar is batting .436 with four RBI. Both each have eight stolen bases. In the series against PBSC, Lightbody finished 4-for-7 with an RBI, four runs scored and a stolen base while Salazar finished the 6-for-8 with three runs scored and a stolen base.

Freshman Maddie Koczersut is their predominant main strong bat as she is batting .333 with three home runs and 17 RBI. Koczersut was 3-for-7 with five RBI in the series against PBSC. In fact, Koczersut has had an RBI in four straight games.

On the mound, freshman Ally Hulme is 5-3 with a 3.43 ERA and 28 strikeouts. Hulme pitched in the second game where she threw four innings and gave up six runs and struck out six batters.

Sophomore Ashlee Zientek is 3-2 with a 2.69 ERA and 30 strikeouts. Zientek pitched in the second game where she threw three scoreless innings of relief with one strikeout.

Sophomore Madi LoCastro is 2-2 with a 3.99 ERA and 15 strikeouts while batting .188 with eight RBI. LoCastro threw a two-hit shutout with three strikeouts in the first game against PBSC.

Scouting Lake Sumter:
The Lakehawks are coming off of a split against Polk State winning game one 9-1 via mercy rule before losing game two by a score of 5-0.

Sophomore Nicole Smith leads the team batting .328 with four home runs and 12 RBI, while classmate Casey Allen is batting .464 with 16 RBI and 14 stolen bases.

On the mound, sophomore Brandi Davis is 7-0 with a 2.94 ERA, one save and 14 strikeouts. Davis threw a five inning complete game against Polk State with two strikeouts.

Series History (2012-present):
The Manatees hold a 25-2 overall record against the Lakehawks, which includes the sweep earlier in the season for the Manatees (2/13) by a score of 7-5 and 5-2. The Lakehawks' last win was on February 16, 2017 where they defeated SCF 12-8.

How to Stay Up to Date:
Livestats will be available for the doubleheader on GameChanger.

Fans can also keep up on Twitter:
SCF: @SCFSoftball
Lake Sumter: @LSSCSoftball

Livestats Link: https://gc.com/t/spring-2020/state-college-of-florida-manatees-softball-5e19088f09b01f1f2300011a