SCF Softball Readies for a Michigan Welcome

The SCF softball team (14-8) readies for two more home series doubleheaders as part of their eight-game homestead as they welcome NJCAA Region 12 members Oakland CC (0-0) Saturday afternoon, February 28 at noon and 2 pm before facing Kalamazoo Valley (2-2) Monday later afternoon, March 2 at 4 and 6 pm.

Last Time Out:
The Manatees are coming off of a sweep over Lake Sumter as they won by scores of 6-4 and 5-2.

Freshmen Lauren Lightbody and Lilly Salazar continue to lead the path with their speed. Lightbody is batting .411 with six RBI and nine stolen bases, while Salazar is batting .393 with four RBI and nine stolen bases. In the series against LSSC, Lightbody was 3-for-6 with two runs scored and an RBI while Salazar went 0-for-6 with two runs scored and a stolen base.

Classmate Maddie Koczersut continues her part as the power hitter of the team as she is batting .356 with three home runs and 19 RBI. Koczersut was 2-for-5 with two RBI against LSSC.

Freshman Kristin Kopp has also had a few big bats recently as she is batting .308 with a home run and 14 RBI. Kopp was 2-for-5 with a home run. In fact, it was her first collegiate home run.

Sophomore Ashlee Zientek is 3-2 with a 2.51 ERA, two saves and 40 strikeouts, while batting .409 with five RBI. Zientek was 3-for-3 with an RBI in both games against LSSC, while throwing three scoreless innings of relief with seven strikeouts.

Despite not pitching in the series against LSSC, freshman Ally Hulme is 5-3 with 3.33 ERA and 29 strikeouts.

Sophomore Madi LoCastro also got back into playing as a hybrid player batting .235 with a home run and 10 RBI, while going 3-2 with a 3.46 ERA and 19 strikeouts. LoCastro was 3-for-7 with a home run and two RBI in the series against LSSC, while pitching a complete game with five strikeouts.

Coach 200:
Head Coach Mandy Schuerman is on her way for another milestone as she looks to get 200 career wins with the Manatees as head coach. Schuerman has 192 so far and needs eight for the milestone.

Scouting Oakland CC:
Oakland CC, located in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, is led by Jamie Corona, who enters her 12th year as head coach and is the reigning MCCAA Eastern Conference Coach of the Year.

The Raiders finished last season 36-13 overall with a 25-3 record in conference. This will be their opening game to their 2020 season.

Six sophomores return to their alma mater, which includes their home run hitter in Ivy Velazquez. Velazquez batted .433 with 12 home runs and 39 RBI last season, while winning the MCCAA Eastern Conference Freshman of the Year and being named members of the MCCAA Eastern Conference All-Freshman Team, All-Eastern Conference First Team, MCCAA All-Softball Team, NJCAA Region 12 All-Region Team and NJCAA DII Softball All-American Second Team.

Lanie Ellinger was 18-6 overall with a 2.68 ERA and 149 strikeouts. Ellinger joined Velazquez on MCCAA Eastern Conference All-Freshman Team as well as being a member of the All-Eastern Conference Second Team.

Scouting Kalamazoo Valley CC:
Kalamazoo Valley CC, located in Kalamazoo, Michigan, is led by head coach Morgan VanderBor. The Cougars finished last season 24-20 overall with a 20-8 record in the MCCAA Western Conference.

The Cougars actually opened their season with a doubleheader against Gordon State losing 8-0 via mercy rule/no hitter and 10-8. They will face Pasco-Hernando State in a doubleheader Saturday afternoon, February 29 at 1 and 3 pm

The Cougars bring back eight sophomores that include Amy Jo Tavernier, who hit .385 with four home runs and 24 RBI, and Ariana Rowe, who went 12-11 on the mound with a 3.25 ERA and 135 strikeouts.

Series History:
Overall, the Manatees hold a 13-1 record against OCC and a 2-0 record against KVCC. The Manatees split the last series with Oakland losing 7-5 in game one before winning 3-2 in game two, while the series with Kalamazoo Valley will be the second time. The first time both teams met was last season where the Manatees won by scores of 9-1 (5) and 7-3.

Fun Fact (2012-present):
The Manatees are 43-6 against non-Florida schools.

How to Keep Up:
Livestats are provided by GameChanger and fans can keep up to date with all three teams on Twitter:
SCF: @SCF_Softball
KVCC: @KVCC_Softball
Oakland CC: @OCCollege

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