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| PC by Codi Bressler |
Bradenton, Fla - The SCF softball team (15-11) got back on the winning side as they defeated Lincoln Land CC (0-8) 1-0 and 9-3. The Manatees are now 4-0 against the Loggers.
“Although Sam was solid on the mound, we did not have a good offensive approach where we struggled at the bat which we shouldn't have had happen.” said head coach Mandy Schuerman. "We made up for it in game two. It was a little bit of a different look. We were hitting the ball a little bit better and capitalized on some of the mistake Lincoln Land made with aggressive base running which I was very happy about and having more of an aggressive mindset.”
"Our first game was a little slow because we didn't get the offense going until the last inning when we scored that run to win the game in the eighth," said freshman Liv Siebert. "In the second game, we came out firing when we got our first three runs right away and we just kept in going the whole game."
"The difference in both games was our approach," said freshman Chantel Schurr. "We were jumpy in both games, but in the second game we minimized that from the start when we focused on bases hits and I thought we did a good job with it."
“In the first game, our defense played really well and helped balance out the fact that we weren't hitting a lot and didn't have a lot of baserunners on,” said sophomore Samantha Hampton. "In the second game, we came out a lot hotter and wedefinitely more aggressive with the hits."
"We played a really big defensive game the first game and had a good offensive game the second game with our defense still on point," said sophomore Mya Achenbach.
Game One:
Schuerman sent Hampton to the mound, while Lincoln Land head coach Rache Wisner sent freshman Josie Deatherage to counter.
Throughout the game, it was a pitcher’s dual between Hampton and Deatherage as both pitchers exchanged strikeouts and stole offensive opportunities.
After the seventh inning ended, with both teams unable to score, the game would go into extra innings with the Texas Tiebreaker rule in effect.
At the top of the eighth, with freshman Molly Hughes placed on second, the Loggers would move her to third on a sacrifice bunt, but strong defense played a key role as Hampton was able to get Hughes out. After giving up another single, the defense continued to come in clutch for the Lithia native as she was able to get out of the top half of the inning.
In the bottom of the eighth, freshman Liv Siebert was placed on second after flying out in the seventh. After classmate Chante Schurr would move her to third while reaching second on a fielding error. This would set up a scoring opportunity for freshman Gabi Nicholson. On a 0-1 count, Nicholson would ground out while Siebert seized the chance and scored for the win.
"All I needed to do was score the run and be smart on the basepath," said Siebert on scoring the game-winning run. "I didn't want to get into an out, ruin it and not get the run, so I had to be decisive on my running and made sure that the ball was on the ground and I needed to get where I needed to go."
Hampton would get the win and move to 8-3 after throwing an eight-inning shutout, giving up seven hits with one walk and eight strikeouts. In fact, it was her first collegiate shutout.
"I pitched a really good game, but my defense really backed me up on some plays," said Hampton on her game. "I had a few hard hits here and there, but they were there for me on that and they definitely helped me get the win and my shutout completely. We talked about it in the sixth inning, but they helped me out a lot even when I was getting strikeouts."
"I couldn't ask for a better performance from Sam Hampton tonight on the mound," said Schuerman on Hampton's game. "She was very solid today and anytime you pitch a shutout is an extraordinary day."
Deatherage would fall to 0-3 after throwing a complete game of seven and a third, giving up one run on three hits with five walks and six strikeouts.
Sophomore Tori Copeland had the only multi-hit game for the Manatees as she went 2-for-3 with two doubles and a stolen base, while sophomore Remi Hebert was 1-for-3 at the plate.
Siebert had two stolen bases, while Achenbach and Schurr each had one.
Hughes and freshman Alivia Hamberger both went 2-for-3 for the Loggers.
Game Two:
For game two, Schuerman went with Hebert to head to the mound while Wisner went sophomore Alli Brumleve.
At the top of the first, the Loggers would strike first as sophomore Sydney Shaeffer would hit a solo home run for her first of the season. The Manatees would respond back in the bottom half beginning with an Achenbach lead-off single. After Siebert reached on fielder's choice and moved Achenbach to third before stealing second, Schurr would crack a hard infield single towards Brumleve and send Achenbach home to tie the game at 1-1. The game would pause for a couple of minutes as Brumleve was hit on the leg.
After Brumleve checked out fine, Schurr would steal second before sophomore Hannah Murray grounded out while sending Siebert home. Sophomore Gracie Mullett would then single to right and bring in Schurr for a 3-1 SCF lead.
In the bottom of the third, the Manatees would continue their offensive onslaught. After Copeland reached on a fielding error, sophomore Gracie Mullett would send a single to center to bring in Copeland before reaching third on a fielding error. Nicholson would then send Mullett home while reaching on a fielding error. After freshman Presley O'Kimosh hit a single and classmate Rylee Trice reached on a fielder's choice, Achenbach would put her speed to the side for a moment as she sent a three-run blast to left for her third of the season and give the Manatees a 8-1 lead.
"I wasn't seeing the ball really well, so I was focusing on each pitch," said Achenbach on her home run. "I knew she (Brumleve) was going to throw me an inside pitch and I took my opportunity and it was successful."
After Siebert reached first on another Logger fielding error and Schurr hit a single to move Siebert to third, the duo would make a double steal as Siebert would score for a 9-1 SCF lead.
At the top of the fourth, the Loggers would bring their final two runs after Brumleve scored on a passed ball and an RBI double by freshman Nyla Cooper, but it was all they could produce as the Manatees sealed the sweep.
Hebert would move to 4-3 on the season after giving up all three runs (two earned) on four hits in four innings.
Mullett would get her fourth save after throwing three scoreless innings of relief with one walk and four strikeouts. She was also 2-for-3 with two RBI.
Brumleve would fall to 0-2 after giving up all nine runs (three earned) on eight hits with five strikeouts in six innings.
Achenbach was the offensive leader as she finished 2-for-4 with a home run and three RBI, while Schurr followed after going 2-for-4 with an RBI and two stolen bases.
O'Kimosh (1-for-3, one run) and Trice (1-for-2, one run) had the remaining two hits, while Siebert (two stolen bases and two runs), Nicholson (one RBI), Copeland (one run) and Murray (one RBI) also contributed for the Manatees.
Cooper and Shaefer each had a hit and an RBI each.
Notes:
With the two wins, Schuerman now has 229 wins as head coach for the Manatees. She now needs 21 to reach 250 career wins and 12 to surpass Meredith Michaels (née Headings: 240, 2007-14) for second all-time in wins.
Other Suncoast Scores:
Polk State (7-13) were swept by Seminole State College (20-15) on the road losing by scores of 1-0 and 9-5. The Eagles will play in the Suncoast Conference Tournament against St. Pete and Hillsborough March 19.
Hillsborough (10-15) fell to Bryant and Stratton (7-6) 7-2 in game one before cancelling game due to inclement weather. The Hawks will travel to Ocala to take on RV Central Florida (24-8) in a doubleheader Monday, March 14.
Upcoming Suncoast Weekly Schedule:
3/12:
SPC @ Lake Sumter State
3/13:
SPC vs Pasco-Hernando
3/14:
HCC @ RV Central Florida
#1 FSW @ Gulf Coast State
3/15:
#1 FSW @ RV Central Florida
SPC vs Lake Region State College
Suncoast Standings:
1. #1 FSW (23-2)
2. SCF (15-11)
3. SPC (18-14)
4. HCC (10-15)
5. Polk State (7-13)
Up Next:
The Manatees cancelled their doubleheader Saturday, March 12 against Pasco-Hernando, but will be back in action against Bryant and Stratton (7-6) Monday night, March 14 for a doubleheader at 4 and 6 pm.
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