SCF Softball Wraps Up Classic

Clearwater, Fla - The SCF softball team (3-1) officially wrapped up day two of the Adidas JUCO Kickoff Classic at the Eddie C. Moore Softball Complex as they defeated St. John’s River State (1-1) 7-5 in game one before defeating Seminole State College of Florida (2-1) 3-1. With the wins, the Manatees are now 9-8 against the Vikings and 8-17 against the Raiders.

“It always feels good to win no matter what the situation,” said head coach Mandy Schuerman. “I liked our grit in both games. We have a lot that we are going to continue to work on, but overall I'm happy with the adjustments from day one to day two.”

SCF vs St. John’s River:
For game one, Schuerman sent sophomore Samantha Hampton to the mound, while SJR head coach Joe Pound sent sophomore Katie Benedict to counter.

After a scoreless first inning, the Vikings would score first in the bottom of the second after a two-RBI single by sophomore Ashley Kirkbride, but the Manatees then showed their offense at the top of the third. After sophomore Hannah Murrary was hit by a pitch to lead off before classmate Molly Starinsky came in to pinch run, freshman Jordan O’Brien would hit a single and move Starinsky to third before being caught stealing for the first out. Sophomore Mya Achenbach would then send a bunt single to bring in Starinsky for the Manatees first run of the game. Freshman Liv Siebert would get a bunt single of her own before classmate Presley O’Kimosh drew a walk to load the bases for freshman Gabi Nicholson. On a 1-1 count, the Tennessee native would send a double to left and bring in Achenbach and Siebert for a 3-2 SCF lead. 

The Vikings would tie the game at 3-3 in the bottom of the third after an RBI double by freshman Alyssa Taylor. This signaled the end for Hampton as sophomore Gracie Mullett would come in to pitch and close out the fourth inning for both teams 

At the top of the fifth, the Manatees would regain the lead after Nicholson brought in Siebert with an RBI groundout. At the top of the sixth, they were able to extend their lead with their final runs as sophomore Allie Bloski would begin with a leadoff walk. After Murrary was hit by a pitch and O’Brien drew a walk to load the bases, Achenbach would draw a walk of her own and bring in Bloski. O’Kimosh would then send bases-loaded two-RBI single to bring in Murray and O’Brien to make it 7-3 SCF before before called out trying to stretch a single to a double.

The Vikings would add two more runs in the last two innings, but it was all they could produce as the Manatees got the win.

Hampton would get her second win of the season after giving up three runs on five hits with two walks and two strikeouts in three innings. She is now 2-0 to start.

Mullett gave up two runs (one earned) on four hits with five strikeouts in four innings of relief.

Benedict would get the loss after giving up five runs on seven hits with two walks and three strikeouts in five innings, while sophomore Savannah LePain gave up two runs on three hits with two walks and two strikeouts in two innings of relief.

Nicholson would lead the way for the Manatees as she went 3-for-4 with three RBI, while O'Kimosh and Siebert each had two hits. O'Kimosh (2-for-3) added two RBI, while Siebert (2-for-4) added two runs. Achenbach also had a multi-RBI game as she went 1-for-3 with a walk and two RBI.

O'Brien (1-for-3, one run and one walk) and freshman Sam Carlin (1-for-1) had the remaining two hits.

Taylor would lead the Vikings in hits as she went 3-for-4 with two RBI and a run, while sophomore Madison McAllister was 2-for-4 with two runs.


Sophomore Carly Bogart, a transfer from SCF, went 1-for-4 against her former team.

SCF vs Seminole State:
For game two, Schuerman sent Mullett back to the mound, while Seminole head coach Courtney Miller sent sophomore Jada Oleski to counter.

The Manatees would get on the board first after Siebert hit a sacrifice fly to bring in Achenbach. One inning later, the Manatees would get their second run after Bloski hit an RBI double to center to bring in freshman Chantel Schurr to make it 2-0 SCF.

After holding the Raiders scoreless for the next three innings, the Raiders would then get their first run of the game at the top of the sixth after redshirt sophomore Shelby Williams reached on an error and brought in sophomore Taylor Thomas, but the Manatees would respond back with an insurance run in the bottom half after Nicholson would reach on a fielding error and bring in Siebert before sealing the win.

Mullett would end up throwing a complete game, giving up one unearned run on four hit with nine strikeouts. She is now 1-1 on the season.

"Both Gracie and Sam Hampton threw really well both days," said Schuerman on Mullett and Hampton. "I am so proud of the way they attacked the zone. I was extremely happy with their performances."

Oleski would be dubbed with the loss after giving up two runs (one earned) on three hits with one walk and four strikeouts in five innings.

Schurr would be the only Manatee with a multi-hit game as she went 2-for-3 with a run. Bloski and Siebert were each 1-for-2 with an RBI, while Nicholson (1-for-3) had the remaining hit.

Thomas would be the only Lady Raider with a multi-hit game as she went 2-for-3 with a run, while giving up on unearned run on two hits in one inning of relief.


Other Suncoast Scores:
#1 FSW (5-0) finished their second day of the JUCO Kickoff Classic by defeating both Marshalltown CC (12-4) and USC Union (17-3) via the five inning mercy rule. The Buccaneers will return to action with the FSW Invitational for their home opener against College of Southern Idaho in a doubleheader Thursday, February 3 as part of six straight games at home.

Polk State (0-2) would fall in their season opener as they lost to Seminole State (6-4, 11 innings) and Santa Fe (12-5) on day two of the JUCO Kickoff Classic. The Eagles will return to action with their home opener against Daytona State February 7 in a doubleheader.

St. Pete (2-2) wrapped up day two of the JUCO Kickoff Classic with a sweep as they beat South Georgia State (9-1) and Eastern Florida State (12-7). The Lady Titans will return to action for day three of the classic with morning game against Parkland College Sunday morning, January 30 at 8:30 am.

Hillsborough (1-2) opened their season with three games. They would defeated USC Union 8-0 in five innings via the eight-run mercy rule before falling to Miami Dade (7-4) and St. John's River (16-8). The Hawks will be back in action as they travel to Gainesville to take on Santa Fe College Tuesday, February 1.

Suncoast Conference Standings:
1. #1 FSW (5-0)
2. SCF (3-1)
3. SPC (2-2)
4. HCC (1-2)
5. Polk State (0-2)

Up Next:
The Manatees remain on neutral grounds for their next series as they will travel to Fort Myers for another doubleheader as they face College of Southern Idaho (3-2) and Miami Dade (1-2) Friday, February 4 at 11:15 am and 3:30 pm.

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