Winter Haven, Fla - A strong pitching performance by sophomore Brielle Bostow and key home runs by classmate Alissa Kessler proved no limits for the SCF softball team (14-14, 8-12 Citrus) as they swept Polk State (8-22, 2-18 Citrus) 4-3 and 12-6.
“We did not play as well as we would have hoped,” said head coach Mandy Schuerman. “Nevertheless, it was good to get two wins for conference.”
“Overall, I think as a team we didn't play our best, but we still did a job and pulled out two wins,” said Bostow. “The difference between both games was our energy level, offensively making adjustments and staying in our zone.”
“We played good enough to win two games, but it wasn't our game,” said sophomore Karsyn Rutherford. “We can put more on the field than what we showed today. I think we definitely had more energy in the second game and scoring in the first inning helped that.”
Game One:
Schuerman sent freshman Julianna Stachowicz (8-5, 1.19 ERA) to start game one while Polk State Kevin Lewis went with freshman Donnea Allen (2-6, 6.85 ERA) to counter.
Following the end of the first inning, Stachowicz would throw a leadoff walk at the top of the second which would signal Schuerman to send Bostow to come in. Despite walking two batters to load the bases, Bostow was able to strikeout two before getting out of the inning with a fielders choice.
After a scoreless third, the Eagles would take the lead in the bottom of the fourth after an RBI single by freshman Jamie Reinhardt.
The Manatees would respond back at the top of the fifth as Rutherford would send a triple to left to bring in sophomore Janessa Benavides to tie the game at 1-1. One inning later, the Manatees would take their first lead as Kessler would showcase her power as she belted a leadoff solo home run to center for her fifth of the season. Freshman Lilah Denton would then hit a single and steal second base before advancing to third on a groundout. After sophomore Taylor Halback drew a walk, freshman Lydia Denton would send a single to right to bring in Lil. Denton to make it 3-1 SCF.
The Eagles would not go away as they tied the game at 3-3 after an RBI single by freshman Kagan Dudney and an RBI triple by freshman Nayeli Hernandez. The Eagles would load the bases looking to try and win the game in walk-off fashion, but a strikeout and batter interference proved to be costly as the game would go into extra innings.
At the top of the eighth, freshman Avery Arrington would lead off the inning with a single to left before moving to second on a sacrifice bunt by Halback. After advancing to third on a wild pitch, Benavides show her part of being the hero as she sent a single to left to bring in Arrington to make it 4-3.
Stachowicz would then reenter the game on the mound and despite giving up two walks, she was able to get the final batter to line out to seal the victory for the Manatees.
Stachowicz would earn a no-decision after throwing two scoreless innings with six walks and two strikeouts. She was also 1-for-2 with two walks.
Bostow would improve to 2-2 after giving up three runs (one earned) on six hits with two walks and a career-high 11 strikeouts in six innings of relief.
“I felt really good today on the mound,” said Bostow. “I was relaxed and loose and my changeup was on. Taylor (Halback) also helped me with that and was doing a great job behind the plate for me.”
Allen would fall to 2-7 after giving up four runs on eight hits with eight walks and five strikeouts in an eight-inning complete game.
Rutherford would lead the way in hitting for game one as she went 2-for-5 with an RBI.
Benavides (1-for-1, one RBI, one run and two walks), Kessler (1-for-4, one home run), Lil. Denton (1-for-1, one run and one stolen base), Lyd. Denton (1-for-4, one RBI) and Arrington (1-for-1, one run) had the remaining hits, while Halback (one walk), redshirt sophomore Jordan O’Brien (one walk) and freshman Ryleigh Bennett (one walk) also contributed in the game.
For the Eagles, Reinhardt lead the way in hitting as she went 2-for-5 with an RBI.
Game Two:
Looking to complete the sweep, Schuerman sent Bennett (3-3, 3.90 ERA) to start game two, while Lewis went with Reinhardt (3-9, 4.87 ERA).
The Manatees would open on the board first at the top of the first. After Rutherford reached on a fielding error before stealing second and Lil. Denton drew a walk, Kessler would send a double to left-center to bring in both runners and make it 2-0 SCF. The Eagles would cut the lead to 2-1 after an RBI double by sophomore Jillian Hudson.
The Manatees would increase their lead at the top of the second beginning with a leadoff walk by Lyd Denton. After freshman Saremi Flores reached on a fielder’s choice and Arrington hit a single, Rutherford would send a single to right to bring in Flores. After a sacrifice bunt by Lil. Denton, Bennett would send a single to right and bring in Arrington to make it 4-1 SCF.
The Eagles would tie the game at 4-4 after an RBI single by Hernandez and a two-run triple by freshman Veronica Fernandez.
At the top of the fourth, the Manatees would regain the lead with a leadoff triple by Rutherford. One batter later, Bennett would hit into a fielder’s choice to bring in Rutherford. After stealing second, Benavides would send a single to center and bring in Bennett to make it 6-4 SCF. The Eagles would once again tie the game after a two-run double by Dudney to make it 6-6. Stachowicz would then come in for Bennett with two outs and strikeout Hudson.
After the fifth inning went scoreless, the Manatees put together a strong outing at the top of the sixth beginning with a leadoff single by freshman Hailey Margetis. After Bennett drew a walk, Kessler would once again show her powerhouse hitting as she sent a three-run homer to left for her sixth of the season and give the Manatees a 9-6 lead.
At the top of the seventh, the Manatees would add their final runs of the game. After Stachowicz and Rutherford hit back-to-back single, Margetis, Bennett and Kessler would hit back-to-back-to-back RBI singles of their own to make it 12-6 SCF. From there, Stachowicz would finish the seventh and seal the deal for a Manatee sweep.
Bennett would earn a no-decision after giving up six runs on six hits with three strikeouts in three and two-thirds innings. She was also 2-for-4 at the plate with three RBI, two runs, one walk and one stolen base.
Stachowicz would improve to 8-5 after throwing three and a third scoreless innings of relief with two hits, one walk and six strikeouts. She was also 2-for-2 at the plate with a run.
Reinhardt would fall to 3-10 after giving up 11 runs (10 earned) on 13 hits with five walks and four strikeouts in six innings. Allen would give up one run on three hits in one inning of relief.
Aside from Bennett and Stachowicz, four other Manatees had a multi-hit game. Kessler would lead the way offensively as she finished 3-for-5 with a home run, six RBI and a stolen base. She was in fact a triple shy of a cycle. The transfer from Florida Atlantic would finish the series 4-for-9 with two home runs and seven RBI.
"Alissa has continued to show good power at the plate," said Schuerman on Kessler.
Rutherford would also follow with a three-hit game as she went 3-for-5 at the plate with three runs, one RBI and one stolen base. The Venice native would finish 5-for-10 with two RBI.
"I felt good today," said Rutherford. "I'm just happy to help the team in any way I can in order to win."
"Karsyn had a good day today at the plate," said Schuerman on Rutherford. "I was happy to see the ball fall for her today."
Margetis and Benavides would round out the order with two hits each. Margetis (2-for-2) added one RBI and two runs, while Benavides (2-for-5) added one RBI.
Arrington (1-for-2, one run) and freshman Olivia Rogers (1-for-4, one walk) had the remaining two hits, while Lil. Denton (one run, one walk and one stolen base), Flores (one run) and Lyd. Denton (two walks) also contributed in the game.
For the Eagles, Dudney and Hudson lead the way in hitting as they each went 2-for-4 at the plate. Dudney added two RBI, while Hudson added one RBI.
Notes:
This was win #271 and #272 for Schuerman and she needs 28 more to reach 300 career wins as head coach.
Up Next:
The Manatees return to action at the SCF Softball Complex as they welcome #5 Indian River State (29-4, 17-3 Citrus) Tuesday, March 26 at 4 and 6 pm.
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