Softball team opens season this weekend in Clearwater
The Eastern Florida State College softball team has high expectations heading into the regular season.
The Titans are coming off a 30-27-1 record and its 14th straight trip to the state tournament, finishing tied for fifth.
With eight players back from last season, the Titans hope to be even better in 2019.
"I think this team is going to put up a lot of runs, I think we are going to be known as a team that can score and have a lot of big innings," Eastern Florida State College softball coach Jim Beitia said.
Offensively, three-fourths of the infield is back this season and all three were named all-conference last season as shortstop Nikki Pennington made the first team while first baseman Caitlin Meyer and third baseman Hannah Crumblish made the second team.
On the mound, Olivia Everett made the first team and is back to lead a talented pitching staff.
"Our pitching staff is deep, so we will be able to mix and match as they all have different styles and different strengths," Beitia said. "We legitimately have four starters, it will be interesting to see how we can use them and make sure they all get enough work."
The Titans will open the season at Eddie C. Moore Softball Complex in Clearwater this weekend at the JUCO Kickoff. It begins on Friday with games against Georgia Military at 4:20 p.m. and then Tallahassee Community College at 6:20 p.m. Then on Saturday Eastern Florida State College will play Gulf Coast State College at 1:20 pm. and Polk State College at 6 p.m. and then St. Petersburg and St. Johns River on Sunday.
"It is good, it gives us the opportunity to play some different lineups and see how we match up against some ranked teams," Beitia said. "We have a good idea of where we stand in the state, but there will be some nationally-ranked teams in Clearwater and we want to see how good we are."
The Titans will be at Titan Softball Complex Feb. 12 for the home opener against Daytona State College. The doubleheader begins at 4 p.m. and admission is free.