Longwood, Fla - The SCF softball team (6-2) played one of their most challenging doubleheaders on the road as they split at the Courtney Miller Invitational in Longwood. The Manatees fell to Chipola College (13-8) by a score of 6-4 before defeating Gulf Coast State (17-4) 7-3.
"We were a little rusty after not playing for two weeks and came out flat when we played Chipola," said head coach Mandy Schuerman. "While they did take advantage of that, we still outhit them statistically. We're looking to bring constant energy and make routine plays for when open up in conference."
"I thought we did well making adjustments early at the plate and did a good job staying engaged in the second game after starting off slow in the first game," said freshman Ryleigh Bennett. "When we face Hillsborough, the focus will be opening the game with big energy and staying engaged throughout both games."
SCF vs Chipola:
Schuerrman sent sophomore Brielle Bostow (1-0, 5.73 ERA) to start game one while Chipola head coach Kelly Brookins went freshman Hannah Worthington (5-1, 3.77 ERA) to counter.
The Manatees would try to open early on the board first at the top of the first as freshman Olivia Rogers hit a two-out solo home run to left for her second of the season. The Indians would respond back as freshman Hannah Capps would tie the game at 1-1 with an RBI single.
After the second inning went scoreless, the Indians would take the lead in the bottom of the third after sophomore Amari Brown would score on a wild pitch. The lead would increase for the Indians in the bottom of the fourh as sophomore Hannah Bibbs scored on a wild pitch before Brown and freshman EmmaLee Essary hit back-to-back RBI groundouts to make it 5-1 Chipola before sophomrore Gracie Suggs would make it 6-1 with an RBI groundout.
At the top of the sixth, the Manatees would try to pull together a rally beginning with Rogers leadoff triple before scoring on a wild pitch. After Bennett (single), sophomore Alissa Kessler (walk) and freshmen Lydia Denton (hit by a pitch) loaded the bases, sophomore Janessa Benavides would hit into a fielder's choice while Kessler was called out at home. One batter later, sophomore Maddisan Noriega would draw a bases loaded walk to bring in Ly. Denton to cut the lead to 6-3.
At the top of the seventh, the Manatees would give it one more try to stay alive as freshman Hailey Margetis would hit a single and score on a wild pitch, but it would be all the Manatees could produce as the Indians took the game.
Bostow would fall to 1-1 after giving up four runs (three earned) on four hits with four walks and three strikeouts in three innings. Sophomore Karsyn Rutherford gave up two runs on tow hits with one walk in three innings or relief.
Worthington would improve to 6-1 after throwing a complete game, giving up two runs on six hits with three walks and three strikeouts. Freshman Josefina LaCalle gave up one run on two hits with one walk in no innings of relief.
Rogers would lead the way in hitting as she finished 3-for-4 with a home run and two runs scored. Bennett would round out the order batting 2-for-4 at the plate.
Margetis (1-for-3, one run and one walk) and sophomore Stephanie Oaks (1-for-3) had the remaining two hits, while Kessler (one walk), Ly. Denton (one run), Noriega (one RBI and one walk) and freshman Saremi Flores (one walk) also contributed in the game.
Capps lead the Indians in hitting as she went 2-for-3 with an RBI.
SCF vs Gulf Coast State:
Looking to bounce back from the loss, Schuerman went with Bennett to start game two while Gulf Coast head coach Scot Thomas went with freshman Maddie Vaughn (1-1, 12.00 ERA).
The Manatees, who were the home team, opened on the board first beginning with sophomore Haley Rosenbaum getting hit by a pitch and stealing second before Oaks drew a walk. After Rosenbaum and Oaks committed a double steal, both runners would take advantage of throwing error by the catcher and score to make it 2-0 SCF.
In tbe bottom of the second, the Manatees would extend the lead further beginning with Denton being by a pitch before moving to second on a groundout and then to third on a Rosenbaum. Denton and Rosenbaum would successfully attempt a double steal with Ly. Denton scoring and Rosenbaum stealing second and then third. After Oaks drew a walk, the duo would once again commit a third double steal with Rosenbaum stealing home and Oaks stealing second to make it 4-0 SCF.
At the top of the third, the Lady Commodores would get on the board as they took advantage of a Manatee fielding error, but the Manatees would respond back in the bottom half of the inning as Bennett would send a single to left to bring in redshirt sophomore Jordan O'Brien, who pinch ran for Kessler, and made it 5-1 SCF.
In the bottom of the fourth, the Manatees would their final runs on the board. After Rutherford and Oaks drew walks with Rutherford stealing second and advancing to third on a flyout, Rogers would line a triple to right-center to bring in Rutherford and Oaks and make it 7-1 SCF.
At the top of the sixth, the Lady Commodores add their final runs of the game after a sacrifice fly by sophomore Fallin Jordan and an RBI single by classmate Rachel Lee, but Bennett was able to get out of the sixth before freshman Julianna Stachowicz closed the door at the top of the seventh to seal the win for the Manatees.
Bennett would improve to 1-0 after giving up three runs on eight hits with two walks and two strikeouts in six innings, while going 2-for-3 with an RBI at the plate. Stachowicz would throw one scoreless inning of relief.
"I just went up with confidence and trusting my spin which produce a lot of ground ball opportunities for outs," said Bennett. "At the plate, I focused on getting the pitch I was looking for early and just hitting through the ball."
Vaughn would fall to 1-3 after giving up four runs on three hits with two walks and one strikeout in one and two-thirds innings.
While Bennett lead the way in hitting, Rogers lead the way offensively as she went 1-for-3 with two RBI.
On the basepaths, Rosenbaum lead the way as she went 1-for-3 with two runs and five stolen bases, while Oaks drew three walks with two runs and two stolen bases.
Kessler (1-for-2, one walk) had the remaining hit, while Ly. Denton (one run and one stolen base), Rutherford (one run and one stolen base), O'Brien (one run and one stolen base) and freshman Lilah Denton (one stolen base) also contributed in the game.
Lee lead the Lady Commodores offensively as she went 1-for-3 with two RBI.
Up Next:
The Manatees return home to the SCF Softball Complex as they welcome Hillsborough (5-6) Tuesday night, February 27 at 5 and 7 pm.
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