"We are sticking to our approach of not worrying about who is in the dugout," said head coach Mandy Schuerman. "Rather, we are striving to bring continued energy and execution no matter who is on the other side. Kalamazoo was a good opponent we just capitalized on some opportunities we got throughout the game."
Game One:
Schuerman sent freshman Madi LoCastro to the mound while KV Morgan VanderBor sent sophomore Rachel Pijaszek to counter.
The Cougars scored at the top of the first from a leadoff double by Pijaszek before scoring on a passed ball, but the Manatees would answer back in the bottom half. After back-to-back singles from freshman Kailey Christian and sophomore Cheyenne Nunez before advancing to second and third on a passed ball, Graham, on a 2-2 count would give the Manatees a 3-1 lead with a three-run shot to left. This was Graham's second home run of the season.
While LoCastro held the Cougars scoreless in the next three innings, the Manatees added another run in the bottom of the fourth after sophomore Sydney Parks hit a lead-off double and advanced to third on a Cougar fielding error before Nunez hit a sacrifice fly to send Parks home to make it 4-1 SCF.
The Cougars tried to score at the top of the fifth, but a double play and a lineout stopped their chances, while SCF put the finishing touches in the bottom half.
Beginning with a lead-off single from sophomore Nicci Palumbo, freshman Sabrina Long sent her home with an RBI double before scoring on an RBI single by classmate Lauren Bostwick before she advanced to second to make it 6-1 SCF. After LoCastro and Christian drew walks to load the bases, Nunez would draw a walk and send Bostwick home to make it 7-1 SCF. Graham would hit an RBI single and send LoCastro home before sophomore Haley McFadden hit into a fielder's choice and sent sophomore Megan Seeds, who came in for Christian, home for the win via mercy rule.
LoCastro would earn the win after throwing a five inning complete game, giving up the lone run on three hits while walking one and striking out three. LoCastro is now at 3-3 for the season.
Pijaszek would be credited with the loss after giving up three runs on five hits in no innings.
Freshman Cassidy Miller came in for relief and gave up six runs on eight hits while walking five batters in 4.2 innings.
Graham finished game one 3-for-4 with a double, a home run and four RBI.
Nunez (2-for-3, two RBI, a walk and a stolen base), Long (2-for-2, a double, one RBI, one run and one walk) and Palumbo (2-for-3, one run scored) had two hits each, while Christian (1-for-3, one run scored, one walk), McFadden (1-for-3, one RBI, one walk) and Parks (1-for-3, one run scored) added one hit each.
Pijaszek and freshmen Morgan Lenox and Mya Potter had the Cougars lone three hits.
Game Two:
For game two, Schuerman sent freshman Ashley Zientek to the mound while VanderBor sent freshman Ariana Rowe to counter.
After both had a scoreless first inning, the Cougars would score first from an RBI single off the bat of sophomore Jordan Geik at the top of the second before scoring two more runs at the top of the third from a two-RBI single from sophomore Adaisha Heidtman, but the Manatees would retaliate off of that in the bottom half.
After Bostwick began by reaching first on a fielding error before stealing second, Christian sent her home with an RBI single before advancing to second on the throw before Graham sent Christian home to cut the deficit to 3-2 Kalamazoo. After Palumbo drew a walk, the Manatees would successfully tie the game from an RBI off the bat of Nunez to make it 3-3 before the third inning ended.
In the bottom of the fourth, the Manatees finally took the lead. Beginning with Bostwick reaching on a fielding error before stealing second, Christian would send Bostwick with a single and give SCF a 4-3 lead. After a single by freshman Makalya Benavidez before she and Christian advance to second and third respectively, Graham would send Benavidez and Christian home on a sacrifice fly to make it 6-3 SCF.
The Manatees would add one more run to the scoreboard after an RBI single from sophomore Madison Yoder that sent freshman Alexis Bridges home to make it 7-3 SCF in the bottom of the fifth before pulling away with the win.
Zientek would be credited with a no-decision after throwing 3.1 innings, giving up all three runs on four hits while walking one and striking out four.
Christian, who came in relief at the top of the fourth, would earn the win after 3.2 scoreless and hitless innings while striking out 11 batters. She was also 2-for-4 with two RBI and two runs. Christian is now 11-1 on the season.
Rowe would earn the loss after throwing a complete game, giving up all seven runs (three earned) on 11 hits while walking two and striking out four.
Along with Christian, Benavidez (2-for-4, one run ) and Nunez (2-for-4, one RBI and a stolen base) had two hits each.
Graham would finish 1-for-3 with three RBI which included the two-RBI sac fly. Graham finished 4-for-7 in the series with a home run and seven RBI.
"I changed my approach so I can get the base hits," said Graham. "I wanted to keep things simple to help out the team."
"Maddy has been working hard to hunt for her pitch at the plate," said Schuerman on Graham. "Her hunt was able to her produce opportunities at the plate."
The Manatees had six stolen bases with two coming from Bostwick while Bridges, Nunez, Palumbo and Seeds added one each.
Notes:
Nunez's two stolen bases in the series put her at 39 in her career.
Up Next:
The Manatees remain at home as part of their 12-game homestead as they welcome Palm Beach State College (3-19) to the SCF Softball Complex.
"Hopefully we are going to stay locked in to every pitch and compete," said Schuerman on facing Palm Beach State. "We hope that our pitchers and defense can continue to defend well enough for us to win. Our goal is to be able to win every inning."
Graham would finish 1-for-3 with three RBI which included the two-RBI sac fly. Graham finished 4-for-7 in the series with a home run and seven RBI.
"I changed my approach so I can get the base hits," said Graham. "I wanted to keep things simple to help out the team."
"Maddy has been working hard to hunt for her pitch at the plate," said Schuerman on Graham. "Her hunt was able to her produce opportunities at the plate."
The Manatees had six stolen bases with two coming from Bostwick while Bridges, Nunez, Palumbo and Seeds added one each.
Notes:
Nunez's two stolen bases in the series put her at 39 in her career.
Up Next:
The Manatees remain at home as part of their 12-game homestead as they welcome Palm Beach State College (3-19) to the SCF Softball Complex.
"Hopefully we are going to stay locked in to every pitch and compete," said Schuerman on facing Palm Beach State. "We hope that our pitchers and defense can continue to defend well enough for us to win. Our goal is to be able to win every inning."
