Softball team eliminates St. Petersburg, advances in state tournament

The Eastern Florida State College softball team have brought their bats to the FCSAA State Softball Tournament at Soldier's Creek Park in Longwood.

In a must-win game Friday afternoon, the Titans had 12 hits and scored in six of the seven innings to eliminate St. Petersburg 13-7.

"There are going to be days when our pitchers don't have their best stuff, but we know our defense and our offense has their back and that was the case today. The pitchers gave it their best shot but it was up to our offense and defense to carry the load today," Eastern Florida State College softball coach Jim Beitia said. "We talked before the game that coming off an emotional game against a nationally-ranked team, some teams might have a let down but we were ready and if anything yesterday's game fired us up."

And they got things going right away as Mary Waldron led off the game with a double and Caitlin Meyer hit an infield single. Hannah Crumblish would work a walk to load the bases. Both Waldron and Meyer would score to give the Titans a quick 2-0 lead.

The Titans would add two more in the second as Carina McCarver and Crumblish would score runs after hitting singles. 

The lead would grow to 7-2 heading to the bottom of the fourth. But St. Petersburg would score four times to close the lead to 7-6.

But after two quick outs, Caitlin Meyer blasted a two-run home run to left-center field to give the Titans a three-run cushion.

Jordan Lawlis came in to relieve starter Olivia Everett and allowed St. Petersburg to just one run in the final three innings.

Meanwhile the Titans offense continued to swing hot bats, scoring four times in the top of the seventh to put it out of reach.

Waldron scored four times while Meyer and Crumblish each scored three times. Waldron, Meyer, Crumblish, Brooke Diaz and McCarver each had two hits in the game for the Titans who advance in the state tournament. They will play at 10 a.m. Saturday against Seminole State College who lost to Florida Southwestern Friday evening.

"Our pitchers will rest a bit today, but we are ready," Beitia said.