Softball Takes Two from Spoon River and St. Pete
Vs. Spoon River College
The Manatees rolled to an 11-0 win over Spoon River College on Thursday in Bradenton, powered by a big day at the plate from Cailinne Kelly.
Kelly drove in five runs on three hits, breaking the game open early. She delivered a two-run single in the second inning, then crushed a three-run home run to left in the third to put the game out of reach.
SCF set the tone early. Kaylin Smith lifted a sacrifice fly to bring in the game's first run, and Jamie Sepsick followed with an RBI groundout to make it 2-0.
The offense surged in the second. A'Lana Martinez singled home a run, Kelly added his two-run single, and Kierstyn Aumua doubled in two more as SCF plated five runs in the frame. By the time the third inning ended, the lead had ballooned to 11-0 after Martinez knocked in another run and Kelly's three-run homer capped the scoring.
On the mound, Allison Cole was sharp. She allowed just two hits over five shutout innings, striking out four and walking one to earn the win.
Martinez matched Kelly with three hits and added two stolen bases. SCF showed patience at the plate, drawing seven walks, with Bree Urban and Smith picking up two each. The team swiped five bases overall.
Vs. St. Petersburg College
SCF outslugged St. Petersburg College 14-8 on Thursday, fueled by a historic performance from A'Lana Martinez and a relentless offensive effort. Martinez delivered one of the most dominant games of the season, going 5-for-5 with a home run, two triples, and a single. She homered to center in the fourth inning, tripled in both the first and sixth innings, and consistently sparked the lineup from start to finish.
The game opened with early fireworks. St. Petersburg struck first in the top of the first, launching a three-run homer to left. SCF answered immediately in the bottom half. Kaylin Smith drove in a run with a single before Kierstyn Aumua connected on a three-run shot to center, giving the hosts a 4-3 edge.
St. Petersburg regained control in the second. Rivera doubled down the left-field line to score two, and Ashe followed with a two-run single to put the visitors back in front.
SCF pulled even in the fourth inning during a power surge. Cailinne Kelly's solo home run tied the game at seven. An error allowed St. Petersburg to edge ahead 8-7 in the fifth, but the lead was short-lived.
In the bottom of the fifth, SCF responded decisively. Smith delivered an RBI single, Urban ripped a two-run double, and another error brought home a fourth run in the inning to reclaim the lead. The momentum carried into the sixth, when Lewis added a solo home run to left. Martinez later tripled home a run and scored after tagging up, extending the advantage to 14-8.
Dava Hoffer earned the win in relief, allowing just one unearned run over five and two-thirds innings while striking out four. Mia Macaione started but exited early after surrendering seven runs, four earned.
SCF finished with 15 hits. Bree Urban and Aumua each drove in three runs, while Smith and Kelly added multiple hits. The team also showed discipline at the plate with five walks and turned two double plays defensively.
Behind Martinez's five-hit performance and timely power throughout the lineup, SCF secured another impressive offensive victory.
