SCF Softball Splits Day One of JUCO Showcase

The SCF softball team (1-1) split to start off the JUCO Kickoff Showcase at Eddie C. Moore Complex in Clearwater. as they defeated Northwest Florida State (0-1) 6-5 before falling to Pensacola State (1-0) 8-0 via mercy rule. With the split, the Manatees are now 2-1 against the Raiders and 1-2 against the Pirates.

SCF vs NWFS:
For game one, head coach Mandy Schuerman sent freshman Ally Hulme to the mound, while NWFS head coach Andy Lee sent sophomore Lauren Rase to counter.

At the top of the first, Schuerman pulled Hulme after three pitches and sent sophomore Ashlee Zientek to the mound. After giving up a lead-off double, Zientek brushed it off and struck out the next three batters.

In the bottom of the first, freshmen Emily Hughes and Lilly Salazar would begin the onslaught of attack with back-to-back singles. With Hughes on third, Salazar was able to steal second while classmate Kristin Kopp came to the plate. On an 2-1 count, Kopp would ground out to first while sending Hughes home. After sophomore Madelyn Graham drew a walk and freshman Maddie Koczersut popped out, sophomore Madi LoCastro would send a double to center and send Salazar home for a 2-0 SCF lead.

While the Manatees remained in the lead, Zientek continued to fight the Raiders on the mound as she put up seven strikeouts in the first three innings.

In the bottom of the third with two outs, Koczersut would send a shot to left for her collegiate home run to make it 3-0.

At the top of the fourth, the Raiders would get on the board after a two-run shot to left by freshman Abby Sulte. Eventually, Zientek would bounce back from it and get out of the inning.

After Zientek gave up a leadoff double at the top of the fifth, Schuerman would pull her out and send freshman Samantha Hampton to the mound. Hampton would end up giving up the tying run after off of a double by sophomore transfer Lele Martinez before freshman Amber Divine gave the Raiders a 4-3 leading after reaching on a fielder's choice. After giving up an RBI single to sophomore Ariana Cipriano to make it 5-3 NWFS, Schuerman would pull Hampton and resend Hulme to the mound.

In the bottom of the sixth, the Manatees attempted to make their comeback. The Manatees began with back-to-back walks drawn by Koczersut and LoCastro, Hampton would give the Manatees would tie the game at 5-5 with a two-RBI double before giving the Manatees a 6-5 lead after scoring on a passed ball.

At the top of the seventh, Hulme gave up back-to-back walks with freshman Gabrielle Fischetti at the plate to try and tie or even take the lead for the Raiders. On a 1-2 count, Fischetti would hit a line drive that was caught by freshman Emily Hughes which was then turned into a double play with freshman Carly Bogart after Cipriano, the runner on second, did not tag second base. With one final push, Hulme would strikeout Rase and get the win for SCF to start the season.

Hulme and Zientek would each earn a no decision. Hulme threw three scoreless innings while walking four and striking out four. Zientek would give up three run on five hits, while walking three and striking out tied career-high eight batters.

Hampton would get the win despite not throwing any innings and giving up two runs on three hits. Hampton would finish 1-for-1 with two RBI and was the only Manatee with a multi-RBI game.

Rase would earn a no-decision after giving up three runs on five hits, while walking one and striking out one in three innings

Freshman Jade Mention would be dubbed with the loss after giving up three runs (two earned) on two hits, while walking two and striking out three in 2.1 innings.

Freshman Ivey Hill threw one-third of an inning in relief.

Bogart would be the only Manatee with a multi-hit game as she finished 2-for-3 with two doubles, while Koczersut went 1-for-3 with a home run and two runs scored.

LoCastro, Hughes and Salazar had the teams three remaining hits. Salazar also added a stolen base to the mix.

Sophomore Ashley Autuori had the Raiders' only multi-hit game as she finished 2-for-4 with two doubles. Sulte went 1-for-3 with the two run homer.

SCF vs Pensacola:
For game two, Schuerman sent LoCastro to the mound while Pensacola head coach Lyndsey Angus sent freshman Jorja Barrett to counter.

The Manatees were unable to connect any offense to try and get on the board.

LoCastro was dubbed with the loss after giving up five runs (two earned) on six hits with one walk and one strikeout in two innings.

Hulme gave up three runs on three hits with three walks and two strikeouts in 2.2 innings.

Barrett would be credited with the win after throwing three scoreless innings giving one hit, walking two and striking out two.

Graham and Hughes were the lone Manatees that had hits.

Up Next:
The Manatees will resume day two of the JUCO Kickoff Showcase as they face Palm Beach State, Seminole State and Central Florida.