“We played 27 great innings out of 28,” said Mandy Schuerman. “We played well as a team, which was great to see.”
“We played really well as team,” said sophomore Kristin Kopp. “We took advantage of every opportunity we saw. We kept an upbeat energy no matter what was the score. We came out to play this weekend and it paid off.”
“The team finally came together and played by our motto of the season 'WE' over 'ME',” said sophomore Madi Schaefer. “We stayed hungry the whole weekend and never lost our fight even if it became close. Every girl had each others back and picked one another up no matter what. It was an amazing feeling to know your team has your back no matter what.”
“The team really came out with hunger to win and that’s how we played all weekend,” said sophomore Lauren Hutcherson. “We really played with the mindset WE over ME. everyone on the team played apart in the teams success.”
“We came out this weekend determined win,” said freshman Remi Herbert. “I thought overall as a team we had a really good weekend. This weekend definitely boosted everyone’s confidence. Everyone was up the whole time, energy was good, defense, and offense did their job.
Game One- SCF vs IRS:
For game one, Schuerman sent Herbert to the mound, while IRS head coach Dale Atkinson sent redshirt sophomore Casey Kurent to counter.
The Manatees were listed as the away team as they would get on the board at the top of the first off of a lead-off home run by Hutcherson. It was her fourth home run of the season.
In the bottom of the third, the Pioneers would respond and tie the game as redshirt sophomore Jaden Williamson would hit an RBI single to tie the game at 1-1. The Manatees, however, would respond back at the top of the fourth. After loading the bases with Herbert getting hit by a pitch and back-to-back singles by freshman Gracie Mullett and sophomore Carly Bogart, sophomore Emily Hughes would send a sacrifice fly to right and bring in classmate Lilly Salazar, who came in to pinch run for Herbert, despite it being ruled a double play as Mullett was called out trying to go to third.
The top of the fifth remained in favor for the Manatees beginning with a lead-off double by sophomore Maddie Kozcersut. After Schaefer and freshman Mya Achenbach reached on two straight fielding errors, Hutcherson would send a single to center and bring in Kozcersut. Schaefer would then score on fielding error from the catcher before Achenbach scored on a double play caused by Herbert to make it 5-2 SCF.
The Pioneers would make one more effort to get more on the board in the bottom of the sixth as redshirt sophomore Meghan Branche would send a solo shot to right for her third of the season, but it was all they could produce as the Manatees claimed the upset win.
“Indian River is a great quality team,” said Schuerman on the upset win. “We were able to capitalize on some of their mistakes. We played a very good defensive game and Remi pitched a solid games keeping their hitters’ off balance.”
“It felt great,” said Kopp on upsetting Indian River State. “Now we’re gaining respect on our name.
“This was a great confidence boost for our team,” said Schaefer on the win. “Going into this weekend Coach’s and team’s at the invitational doubted us and thought we would fall to Indian River without a fight. That lit a fire under us and we pushed. We took advantage of every error they made mentally and physically. It was an amazing team win for us and we can’t wait to play Thursday and keep the momentum going.”
Schaefer opened day one of the invitational with her first collegiate home run against Tallahassee.
“It felt amazing,” said Schaefer on her first career home run. “A lot of the times I feel as I may think to much in the box and I approached the pitcher thinking hit the first pitch, and that is what I did. It felt effortless and was amazing rounding the bases with my teammates waiting at the end.”
Herbert would earn her second win of the season after throwing a complete game, giving up two runs on four hits with five strikeouts. Herbert is now 2-2 on the year.
“It felt really good to win against Indians River today,” said Herbert on the win. “I knew the defense had my back the whole time and that they would make plays for me which made me relaxed in the mound. Offense came out swinging hard and scored runs which also took pressure off of me on the mound. It was a great team win today.”
Kurent would be dubbed with the loss after throwing a complete game, giving up all five runs (three earned) on five hits with one walk and nine strikeouts. Kurent is now 1-1 on the year.
Hutcherson had the lone multi-hit and multi-RBI game for the Manatees as she went 2-for-3 with the home run and two RBI.
Mullett, Kozcersut and Bogart had the Manatees remaining three hits.
Williamson was the only Pioneer that had a multi-hit game as she went 2-for-3 with an RBI.
Branche (1-for-3, home run) and freshman Nicolette Luzzi-Salern had the remaining two hits for the Pioneers.
Game Two- SCF vs Chipola:
Schuerman decided to go with her ace pitcher as she sent sophomore Ally Hulme to the mound, while Chipola head coach Belinda Hendrix sent freshman Zayla McBurrows to respond.
The Manatees were playing as the home team and would get on the board first in the bottom of the first beginning with a lead-off single by Hutcherson. After Herbert reached on a fielder’s choice before advanced to scoring position on a wild pitch, Hughes would get hit by a pitch to load the bases for sophomore Kristin Kopp. On a 1-1 count, the Tampa native would clear the path with a double and send Hutcherson, Herbert and Hughes home for a 3-0 SCF lead.
The Indians would get on the board at the top of the third from an RBI single by freshman Kayla Hurley to cut the Manatees lead to 3-1.
At the top of the sixth, Hulme was starting to struggle, so Schuerman decided to send sophomore Samantha Hampton to the mound for a relief appearance. The Indians would then get their second run on the board with an RBI single by freshman Kinzie Nelson before Hampton got out of the inning.
In the bottom of the sixth, the Manatees would extend their lead beginning with a lead-off double by Bogart before freshman Marissa Addision came in to pinch run. Hendrix would then make a change as she sent freshman Kyra Ward to the mound.
After Hughes reached first on a fielding error, Kopp would smack a triple to right to bring in Addision and Hughes for a 5-2 lead. Hampton would then draw a walk before Achenbach came in to pinch run. Kopp would then score on drop third strikeout to make it 6-2 SCF before the Manatees claimed the victory.
Hulme would be credited with the win after giving up two runs on six hits with four walks and six strikeouts in five and a third. Hulme is now 5-3 on the year.
Hampton threw one and two-thirds scoreless innings of relief, giving up one hit with two strikeouts.
McBurrows would be dubbed with the loss after giving up four runs on four hits with one walk and eight strikeouts in five innings.
Ward gave up two runs on one hit with two walks and one strikeout in one inning of relief.
Kopp lead the way for game four with the lone multi-hit and multi-RBI game as she went 2-for-2 with five RBI and 4-for-10 in the invitational with six RBI.
Hutcherson went 1-for-4 with a run scored and 9-for-14 with a home run and three RBI.
“I’m happy with the way I performed this weekend,” said Hutcherson on her overall performance. “I tried to tell myself to keep it simple and to have my players backs at all time and to never get down no matter what.”
“Hutch had an excellent weekend on both sides of the ball,” said Schuerman on Hutcherson. “She gave us a solid performance at shortstop and has been a very effective lead off."
Mullett (1-for-3) and Bogart (1-for-3) and the remaining two hits for the Manatees.
Freshman Gabby Bess had the Indians only multi-hit game as she went 2-for-4.
Up Next:
The Manatees will take on Santa Fe College (8-5). They will travel to the Santa Fe Softball Complex in Gainesville first Thursday, February 25 at 1 and 3 pm before returning home to welcome the Lady Saints to the SCF Softball Complex Saturday afternoon, March 6 at 1 and 3 pm.
“You can see us continue to compete against another quality team in Santa Fe,” said Schuerman on facing Santa Fe. “We anticipate needing our whole team including our bench to help us be successful. This weekend proved that we are going to need everyone to be successful.
“As we come into Santa Fe we need to stay aggressive and hungry,” said Schaefer on preparing for Santa Fe. “We are looking to work on getting ahead early on in the game and staying hungry no matter what. It was an amazing team win for us and we can’t wait to play Thursday and keep the momentum going.”
“We are ready to play Santa Fe and to keep the same energy we had this weekend into the double header against Santa Fe,” said Hutcherson on Santa Fe.
“Santa Fe College is a well coached team and competitive but so are we,” said Hebert on Santa Fe. “We will fight till the last out and we expect a good game.”
No comments:
Post a Comment