Softball Takes Down 14th-Ranked Chipola, Earns Sweep
February 4, 2023

Softball Takes Down 14th-Ranked Chipola, Earns Sweep

Box Score Box Score

By: Pat Clines

 

Fort Myers, Fla - The SCF softball team (5-3) got back on the winning track as they upset #14 Chipola College (5-4) 5-4 before defeating St. John's River State (3-7) 8-6. With the win, the Manatees are 5-14 against the Indians and 12-8 against the Vikings.

 
"I thought we battled all day today," said head coach Mandy Schuerman. "We made some adjustments when we needed to, even when we had a slow start in game two when we threw too many balls and took a while to dial in on their pitcher. Hopefully we continue to improve and fight as a team."
 
 
SCF vs #14 Chipola:
For the game against Chipola, Schuerman sent freshman Karsyn Rutherford to the mound, while Chipola head coach Kelly Brookins went with sophomore Sydney Watson.
 
At the top of the first, the Manatees would score first after freshman Alissa Kessler hit an RBI single to right to bring in classmate Haley Rosenbaum. One inning later, sophomore Liv Siebert would send a single to right to bring in freshman Stephanie Oaks to make it 2-0 SCF.
 
In the bottom of the second, the Indians would take their first lead of the game after scoring on a passed ball and scoring on a fielding error. At the top of the third, the Manatees would tie the game at 3-3 after Kessler scored on a Indian fielding error off the bat of freshman Taylor Halback.
 
After a scoreless fourth, the Manatees would regain their lead at the top of the fifth beginning with a leadoff single by sophomore Chantel Schurr before Kessler sent a triple to center bring in Schurr. After sophomore Tori Copeland popped out, Halback would send Kessler home on a sacrifice fly to make it 5-3 SCF.
 
In the bottom of the fifth, the Indians would cut the Manatees lead to one after an RBI single by sophomore Janelle Martinez, but for the remainder of the game it was all they could produce as the Manatees took the first game.
 
Rutherford would move to 3-1 after throwing a complete game, giving up four runs (one earned) on five hits with one strikeout.
 
Watson would fall to 0-2 after throwing a complete game, giving up five runs (three earned) on seven hits with one walk and nine strikeouts.
 
Kessler would lead the way in batting as she went 3-for-4 with two RBI. Siebert would follow going 2-for-3 with an RBI, one walk and three stolen bases.
 
Copeland (1-for-3) and Schurr (1-for-4, one run) had the remaining two hits, while Rosenbaum (one run and one stolen base), Oaks (one run) and Halback (one RBI) also contributed in the game.
 
For the Indians, freshman Amari Brown was the only one with a multi-hit game as she went 2-for-2.
 
 
SCF vs St. John's River:
Schuerman would go with freshman Brielle Bostow, while St. John's River state head coach Joe Pound went with freshman Carolyn Lasater.
 
The Vikings would get on the board first after an RBI groundout by sophomore Nicolette Luzzi-Salerno and an RBI single by freshman Madison Duncan. From the second to the fourth inning, the Vikings would one run in each inning thanks to an RBI single by sophomore Candace Winder (second inning), Duncan scoring on a fielding error (third inning) and sophomore Farrin Weinert scoring on a fielding error to make it 5-0 St. John's River State. It signaled the end for Bostow as Schuerman would send sophomore Sam Carlin to the mound for relief.
 
In the bottom of the fifth, the Manatees were able to avoid getting shutout as sophomore Presley O'Kimosh would hit an RBI double to bring in freshman Madision Noriega. In the bottom of the sixth, the Manatees would go on a offensive scoring drive to try to go for the lead. After a single by Schurr, Kessler would send a two-run blast to left for her second of the season and cut the Vikings lead to 5-3. After sophomore Gabi Nicholson hit a single, Rosenbaum hit a double and Noriega drew a walk to load the bases, Kimosh would draw a walk and bring in Nicholson while reloading the bases before Oaks reached base on a fielding error while Rosenbaum and Noriega scored to give the Manatees a 6-5 lead. Redshirt freshman Jordan O'Brien would reach on a fielding error while O'Kimosh and Oaks scored to make it 8-5.
 
The Vikings would load the bases at the top of the seventh and bring in a run on an RBI single by freshman Kendall Catherwood, but it was all they could do as the Manatees took the win for the sweep. 
 
Bostow would get a no-decision after giving up three runs (two earned) on two hits with three walks in one and a third inning.
 
Carlin would get her first collegiate win after giving up three unearned runs on seven hits with three walks and five strikeouts in five and two-thirds innings of relief.
 
Lasatert would be dubbed with the loss after giving up eight runs (four earned) on seven hits with three walks and three strikeouts in six innings.
 
Kessler and Schurr would each have two hits. Kessler (2-for-4) had a home run and two RBI, while Schurr had a run scored and a stolen base.
 
O'Kimosh was 1-for-3 with two RBI, a run and a walk, while Nicholson and Rosenbaum were both 1-for-3 with a run each.
 
Noriega (two runs and two walks) and Oaks (two RBI and one run) also contributed in the game.
 
For the Vikings, Luzzi-Salerno and Duncan each had two hits and one RBI apiece.
 
Notes:
The two wins were Schuerman's 243rd and 244th wins. She need six to reach 250 career wins.
 
Other Suncoast Scores:
Hillsborough (2-5) fell to Lake Sumter State (6-2) by a scores of 7-1 and 6-5.
 
Suncoast Conference Standings:
1. SCF (5-3)
2. St. Pete (3-3)
3. HCC (2-5)
4. Polk State (0-2)
 
 
Up Next:
The Manatees will prepare for their home opener as they welcome South Florida State College (4-2) for a doubleheader Tuesday afternoon, February 7 at 4 and 6 pm.