Longwood, Fla - After falling in their last three games, the SCF softball team (9-5) were able to snap out of their losing streak as they swept their part of the Courtney Miller Invitational at Boombah Soldier's Creek in Longwood as they defeated South Georgia State (4-7) 8-6 and Indian River State (9-5) 3-2.
"The team played good enough to win in game one," said head coach Mandy Schuerman. "But we then came out very strong against a very good Indian River team in game two. Game one we played good enough to win, but we made many mistakes. For game two, we were much more competitive pitch to pitch and our team performance was incredible."
"It's definitely a great feeling and we needed those two wins," said sophomore Remi Hebert. "It's great to know everyone has each others backs. We were up the whole time and the energy was great. In both games, we started scoring early and we didn't let up. Our bats were great and so was our base running."
SCF vs South Georgia State:
For game one against South Georgia State, Schuerman sent Hebert to the mound while SGSC head coach Jeff Ellis sent freshman Sarina Elder to counter.
The Lady Hawks would draw first blood on the scoreboard first a the top of the first after an RBI double by freshman Sierra Anderson, but the Manatees would respond back in the bottom half of the inning, beginning with sophomore Mya Achenbach leading off with an infield single and stealing second. Classmate Tori Copeland would then reach base and advance to second on a fielding error while Achenbach scored the first run for the Manatees and tie the game. Following that, freshman Gabi Nicholson would give the Manatees the lead after driving Copeland home with an RBI single. After classmate Chantel Schurr reached base on a fielder's choice and sophomore Gracie Mullett and freshman Presley O'Kimosh hit back-to-back singles to load the bases, Schurr would be called out after freshman Rylee Trice grounded into a fielder's choice. Sophomore Alli Bloski would then get on base from a fielding error, while Mullett and O'Kimosh would score to make it 4-1 SCF.
In the bottom of the second, the Manatees would extend their lead. Achenbach and Copeland would hit back-to-back singles with Achenbach stealing second for the second time and advance to third on Copeland's single before Copeland stole second to get into scoring position. Nicholson and Schurrr would then hit back-to-back RBI groundouts to make it to drive in Achenbach and Copeland to make it 6-1 SCF.
The Lady Hawks would then cut the Manatees lead to 6-3 at the top of the third after back-to-back RBI singles by Anderson and sophomore Elizabeth Soto. The Manatees would add another run in the bottom half of the third, thanks to a Hebert RBI single to bring O'Kimosh to make it 7-3 SCF.
In the fifth inning, the Lady would add another run as Anderson would hit an RBI double but just like the third, the Manatees would extend the lead to four after sophomore Hannah Murrary drew a bases-loaded walk to bring in Bloski to make it 8-4 SCF.
The Lady Hawks would try to have one more gasp of air at the top of the seventh as they added two more runs to the scoreboard from a two-RBI single by freshman Megan Lee, but it was all they could produce as Elder grounded out to end the game as the Manatees got the win.
Hebert would get the win after throwing a complete game, giving up all six runs (three earned) on 10 hits with one walk and one strikeout. She is now 3-1 on the season. She was also 2-for-3 with an RBI.
"My team had my back the whole time throughout the game," said Hebert on her performance. "It's a great feeling especially when you're on the mound."
Elder would fall to 5-5 after throwing six innings, giving up eight runs (five earned) on 11 hits with three walks. She was also 1-for-4 at the plate.
Aside from Hebert, three other Manatees were also 2-for-3 apiece: Achenbach (two runs and two stolen bases), Nicholson (two RBI and one stolen bases) and Bloski (one run). Nicholson was the only Manatee with a multi-RBI game. O'Kimosh (1-for-2, two runs and a walk), Copeland (1-for-4, one run and one stolen base) and Mullett (1-for-4, one run) had the remaining two hits, while Schurr and Murrary each had an RBI.
For the Lady Hawks, Soto and Anderson were each 3-for-4. Soto added three runs and an RBI, while Anderson added three RBI. Lee was 1-for-4 with two RBI.
"We didn't come out too hot in the first game," said Achenbach on game one. "We hit the ball and made plays, but our energy was just dead."
SCF vs Indian River State:
Schuerman went with sophomore Samantha Hampton to start game two, while Indian River head coach Dale Atkinson went with redshirt sophomore Jaden Williamson.
The Manatees, who were the home team for game two, would strike first as Mullett would send a double to right to bring in Achenbach for a 1-0 SCF lead.
While it looked like a pitcher's duel between Hampton and Williamson, Hampton primarily had the upper hand. In the bottom of the third, Hampton would get into a little bit of trouble as she load the bases. But with the defense backing her up, the Lithia native would get out of the fix to keep the Manatees lead alive.
In the bottom of the fifth, the Manatees would extend their lead even further. After Achenbach lead the inning off with a double and stole third base, Mullett would hit an infield single before Schurr sent a single to right to bring in Achenbach. After a Copeland single to load the bases, O'Kimosh would draw a bases-loaded walk and send Mullett home for a 3-0 SCF lead.
At the top of the sixth, the Lady Pioneers would finally get their first runs on the board as sophomore Daija Torchia would get an RBI single and classmate Cassidy Krump would hit an RBI double to cut the deficit to 3-2 still in SCF's favor.
At the top of the seventh, the Lady Pioneers would try one last time to either tie the game or take the lead as they got a runner on base and in scoring position, but the defense continued to pull themselves together as Hampton struck the final batter out to get the win for the Manatees.
"As a team, we realized we needed to step up and that's exactly what we did in game two," said Achenbach on game two. "We came out as a totally different team. Everybody had fun and we played loose."
Hampton would get the win after throwing a complete game, giving up two runs on 11 hits with one walk and four strikeouts. She is now 4-1 on the season.
"Sam threw a really great game for game two," said Achenbach on Hampton.
Williamson would fall to 4-2 after giving up three runs on nine hits with one walk and four strikeouts in six innings.
Mullett would lead the way for the Manatees in hitting as she went 3-for-4 with an RBI. Overall, she finished 4-for-8 with two runs and an RBI. Achenbach and Copeland would both go 2-for-3 each. Achenbach added two runs and a stolen base and would finish 4-for-6 with four runs and three stolen bases.
"Speed is always a killer in softball," said Achenbach. "It definitely showed on my end of the base paths."
"Mya is such an athlete," said Schuerman on Achenbach. "She can see at time to be pretty irreplacable both defensively and offensively."
Schurr (one RBI) and freshman Samantha Carlin were both 1-for-3 with the Manatees two remaining hits. O'Kimosh added one RBI and one walk to contribute.
Crump and sophomore Nicolette Luzzi-Salern were both 3-for-4 each. Crump added an RBI as well. Torchia was 2-for-3 with an RBI.
Notes:
With the sweep, Schuerman earned wins #221 and #222. She need 28 more to reach the 250 win milestone.
Other Suncoast Scores:
#1 FSW (16-1) swept the first day of their portion of the Courtney Miller Invitational as they defeated St. John's River State (6-8) 10-0 in and Santa Fe (12-5) 14-6 both in five innings. The Buccaneers will remain in Longwood for day two of the Courtney Miller Invitational as they face South Georgia State College and #16 Chipola College.
Polk State (3-8) would get swept in their part of the Courtney Miller Invitational as they fell to Santa Fe 12-9 and #13 Central Florida 6-3. The Eagles will be on the road as they face Florida State College at Jacksonville (4-11) for a doubleheader Friday, February 25.
Hillsborough (7-9) won two of the first three games at the Rush Invitational in Meridian, Mississippi, hosted by Meridian CC. They would lose to Hinds CC (4-2) in the first game before defeating Eastern Mississippi CC (11-3) and Southeastern Illinois College (4-1). The Hawks will play in day two of the Rush Invitational as they face De Moines Area CC and host Meridian CC.
St. Pete (5-9) split day one of their part of the Courtney Miller Invitational as they fell to Seminole 9-16-5. The Lady Titans will remain in Longwood for day two of the invitational as they face Lincoln Trail College and Indian River State.
Suncoast Standings:
1. #1 FSW (16-1)
2. SCF (9-5)
3. HCC (7-9)
4. SPC (5-9)
5. Polk State (3-8)
Up Next:
The Manatees wrap up their six-game road trip as they travel to New Port Richey to take on Pasco-Hernando State (7-7) Sunday afternoon, February 20 at 1 and 3 pm.
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