SCF SB Splits Day One of Season Opener

Clearwater, Fla - The SCF softball team (1-1) started their season opener with a split at the Adidas JUCO Kickoff Classic at the Eddie C. Moore Softball Complex in Clearwater as they fell to RV Georgia Military College (2-1) 4-0 before defeating Abaraham Baldwin Agriculture (0-2) 4-1. With the split, the Manatees are now 0-2 against the Bulldogs and 3-0 against the Lady Stallions.

"We played very nervously, which was to be expected being as we don't have many returners and a young team overall," said head coach Mandy Schuerman. "We saw improvements from game one to game two and that's what we were looking for."

"First game we were shutout, but we were able to get two hits off of Georgia Military College, bug our pitch selection and offensive approach was a point of focus as we did not do a good job in the first game and utilized it in the second game."


SCF vs GMC:

For game one against Georgia Military, Schuerman sent sophomore Gracie Mullett to the mound, while GMC head coach Ashley Bunn sent sophomore Kinsley Goolsby to counter.

After the first three innings were a pitcher's dual, the Bulldogs would score first as sophomore Marlee Smith would get an RBI single and would be followed with bases-loaded walk by classmate Mankensie Sapp and sophomore Makckenzie Kilpatrick getting hit by a pitch to make it 3-0 GMC. The Bulldogs would get one more run at the top of the sixth after a Kilpatrick sacrifice fly to make it 4-0 GMC before sealing the deal.

Goolsby would get the win after a two-hit shutout with four walks and eight strikeouts.

Mullett would be credited with the loss after giving up three runs on five hits with two walks and one strikeout in three and two-thirds.

Hampton would give up one unearned run on two hits with one walk and two strikeouts in two and a third of relief, while freshman Samantha Carlin would throw one scoreless inning of relief with one walk.

Sophomore Layla Barron and freshman Lilly Griffith would be the only Bulldogs with a multi-hit game against the Manatees as they both went 2-for-4. Barron added two runs, while Griffith added one walk.

Sophomore Mya Achenbach and freshman Presley O'Kimosh had the Manatees only lone hits, while freshmen Liv Siebert and Jordan O'Brien each added a stolen base.


SCF vs ABAC:

Hoping to make up for the loss, Schuerman sent Hampton to the mound for game two while ABAC head coach Jennifer Walls sent freshman Lindy Lowther to counter.

The Manatees, who were the away team, would score first at the top of the first after an RBI groundout by Siebert that sent Achenbach home. The Lady Stallions would return the favor in the bottom of the second as freshman Abby Plymel would hit an RBI groundout of her own to tie the game at 1-1.

While it remained a pitcher's dual between Hampton and Lowther for the next two innings, the Manatees would get the upper hand at the top of the fifth. After Siebert and O'Kimosh hit back-to-back singles and Nicholson hit into a fielder's choice before freshman Chantel Schurr drew a walk to load the bases, Mullett would draw a walk of her own and send Siebert home to give the Manatees the lead. Sophomore Allie Bloski would then extend the lead to 3-1 after a sacrifice fly brought in Nicholson.

At the top of the seventh, the Manatees would add one final run as O'Kimish scored on a passed ball to make it 4-1 SCF before the game ended.

Hampton would get the win after throwing a complete game, giving up one run on six hits with one walk and a career-high 10 strikeouts. The Lithia native threw a total 9.2 innings with 12 strikeouts in two games.

"I was beyond nervous at the start of the game because it is my last first time starting for my final year," said Hampton on her game. "While there were a few issues with my pitches, I adjusted and ended up with one of my best pitching games and a team win at the end of the day."

"Sam pitched a great game today," said Schuerman on Hampton. "Of course, all of my pitchers threw well today since we only gave up one earned run on the day.

Lowther would get the loss after giving up three runs on four hits with eight walks and six strikeouts in four and two-thirds.

O'Kimosh and Gabi Nicholson each were 2-for-3. O'Kimosh added a run scored, while Nicholson added an RBI and a stolen base.

Achenbach (1-for-4, one run) and Siebert (1-for-4, one RBI and one run) had the remaining hits for the Manatees, while Schurr drew three walks.

"I was happy with Presley and Gabi in the second game," said Schuerman on O'Kimosh and Nicholson. "They were able to relax a little bit and settle in at the game, which is all you can ask for from your batters."

Abraham Baldwin Agricultural fell to Eastern Florida State 3-0 in an earlier game


Notes:
The season opener happened to coincidentally be on head coach Schuerman's birthday.

"I'll take a win any day," laughed Schuerman on winning the game on her birthday. "In the end, it was nice to get at least one win for my birthday."

"It felt amazing," said Hampton on Schuerman's birthday win. "I felt like it was the best gift we could give her after everything we have worked so had for this far."

This was win #215 for Schuerman as head coach for the Manatees.


Siebert, O'Kimosh, Nicholson, Schurr, Carlin, O'Brien and sophomores Molly Starinsky and Tori Copeland and freshmen Mikayla DeSantis, Renee Dixon and Rylee Trice all made their debuts for the team. Schurr, Starinsky and Copeland are all transfers that joined this season.


Other Suncoast Scores:
#1 FSW (3-0) opened their season at the JUCO Kickoff Classic in Clearwater as they defeated Northwest Florida State 5-2, East Georgia State 10-2 (5) and Parkland College(#9 NJCAA DII) 12-7. The Buccaneers will be back in action Saturday, January 29 as they play day two of the JUCO Kickoff Classic against Marshalltown CC and USC Union.

Hillsborough will open their season on day two of the JUCO Kickoff Classic as they play USC Union, Miami Dade and St. John's River Saturday, January 29.

Polk State will open the season on day two of the JUCO Kickoff Classic as they face Seminole State College and Santa Fe.

St. Pete (0-2) opened their season at the JUCO Kickoff Classic as they fell to Gulf Coast State (4-2) and RV Pensacola State (5-2). The Lady Titans will return to action as they play Eastern Florida, Parkland College and Georgia Highlands on day two of the JUCO Kickoff Classic.


Up Next:
The Manatees will wrap up their part of day two of the JUCO Kickoff Classic in Clearwater as they play St. John's River State (@4 pm) and Seminole State College (FL) (@6 pm*).


*Game times are not official

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