Bradenton, Fla - Despite not making it to the FCSAA State Tournament, the SCF softball team (19-27, 4-10 Suncoast) closed up their their final two home games of the season as they split with Polk State (16-25, 3-11 Suncoast) losing game one 10-2 in six innings via mercy rule before winning game two 4-2.
"I just really loved our freshmen in the second game," said head coach Mandy Schuerman. "I think the positive from this series was them helping the sophomores out so they can grow from it and step up for next season. It was a refreshing turnaround for us."
"I just think we all started to get in our heads after the loss in game one and the first three losses in conference and our confidence was starting to drop," said sophomore Molly Starinsky. "That was a hard thing to come back from losing that. Overall, it was a confidence thing winning the second game and there was a glimpse of good things where we had some good hits overall as well as good energy and friendships, so I just need to carry the positive to next year."
"I'm glad we took two wins from them earlier in the season and that was good," said freshman Karsyn Rutherford. "Obviously, the first game wasn't the result we wanted, but I'm glad we bounced back in the second game with another win."
Game One:
Schuerman sent sophomore Sam Carlin to the mound to start game one while Polk State head coach Mark Skapin went with freshman Baileigh Herrera.
The Manatees would open on the scoreboard first as sophomore Gabi Nicholson would send a double to center to bring in classmate Presley O'Kimosh. They would hold a 1-0 lead until the fourth inning off of an RBI single and two RBI doubles gave the Eagles a 3-1 lead. In the bottom half of the fourth, the Manatees would cut the deficit to one as sophomore Renee Dixon would bring in Starinsky on a fielder's choice, but it would hardly faze the Eagles as they continued to pound the scoreboard with a six-run rally in the fifth inning and one run in the sixth to seal the first game.
Carlin would fall to 5-5 after giving up five runs (two earned) on six hits with three strikeouts in four and a third. Freshman Brielle Bostow would give up five runs (three earned) on four hits with three walks and two strikeouts in one and two-thirds innings of relief.
Herrera would improve to 6-9 after throwing a six-inning complete game, giving up two runs on three hits with three walks and two strikeouts. She was also 2-for-4 with an RBI and a run
Nicholson (1-for-2, one RBI and one walk), sophomore Chantel Schurr (1-for-3, one stolen base) and freshman Stephanie Oaks (1-for-3, one stolen base) had the Manatees three hits. O'Kimosh (one walk and one run), Starinsky (one run), Dixon (one RBI) and sophomore Tori Copeland (one walk) also contributed in the game.
For the Eagles, aside from Herrera, sophomore Kaitlyn Nieves would go 2-for-4 with an RBI and a run, while freshman Emma Hart lead the way in offense as she finished 1-for-4 with two RBI and two runs.
Intermission:
After the first game, Schuerman and the coaching recognized all eight sophomores on the team: Dixon, Starinsky, Schurr, Nicholson, Copeland, O'Kimosh, Carlin and Olivia Seibert for their time with the Manatees.
Game Two:
Looking to bounce back and avoid being swept, Schuerman sent Rutherford to start game two, while Skapin went with sophomore Kyra Ward.
Once again, the Manatees would get on the board first as Oaks and Rutherford both singled to start it. After freshman Taylor Halback drew a walk, Oaks took advantage of a wild pitch and scored. Rutherford and Halback would then commit a double steal after Halback's walk as Rutherford stole home and scored while Halback stole second to make it 2-0 SCF.
While the Manatees held a 2-0 lead, Rutherford continued to play her role on the mound and struck out four in the first three innings. The Eagles however would shake Rutherford at the top of the fourth as sophomore Alexis Hollinger would send a single down the middle to cut the Manatees' lead to 2-1.
In the bottom of the fifth, the Manatees would extend their lead and add insurance runs. After freshman Haley Rosenbaum lead off the inning by reaching third off of a fielding error, Oaks would bring in Rosenbaum with an infield single before Rutherford hit a single of her own. After Halback moved both runners into scoring position with a sacrifice bunt, freshman Alissa Kessler would groundout and bring in Oaks to make it 4-1 SCF.
The Eagles would add one more run at the top of the sixth off of an RBI single by sophomore Alma Fernandez to make it 4-2 still in SCF's favor, but it was they could produce.
The highlight of the sixth inning was the defense from Starinsky. On a 2-2 count to Hollinger, with runners on the corners, Starinsky would get her to fly out. As she made the catch, Herrera, who was on third, seemed to tag up and for a sacrifice fly, but Starinsky caught her leaving early and was able to turn a double play and get the runner out at third before Rutherford sealed the deal for the win.
"I was just thinking 'what do we have to do to win and help my team?'," said Starinsky on the double play. "I think at the end of the day, you have to put everything on the line and that's what I was thinking when I was in the outfield. I knew if I caught that ball, it would be one out closer for us to hit again, and with the catch it definitely intimidated them (Polk State) and not want to take bases from me. Overall, I was thinking team."
"Molly is the perfect example of what teamwork is all about," said Rutherford on Starinsky. "I'm so proud of her."
"Molly made a great catch," said Schuerman on Starinsky. "Here effort was incredible. It was momentum change for us and I think that turned it back around for us."
Rutherford would improve to 8-10 after throwing a complete game, giving up two runs (one earned) on six hits with a season-high nine strikeouts. She was also 2-for-2 at the plate with a run, a walk and two stolen bases.
"I felt good out on the mound and was ready to play," said Rutherford. "I was excited to have energy on the field and my defense behind me. I couldn't have pitch like that without my defense behind me."
Oaks (1-for-4, one RBI, two runs and one steal) had the remaining hit, while Halback (two walks and two stolen bases), Kessler (one RBI), Starinsky (one walk), and Rosenbaum (one run) also contributed in the game.
For the Eagles, sophomore Kanitria Antenor lead the way in hitting as she went 2-for-3 with two runs and a stolen base.
Up Next:
The Manatees will close the season with their final game on the road as they face Polk State Friday, April 21 at 4 pm.
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