Softball team likes chances at state tournament
The Eastern Florida State College softball team is back in the FCSAA State Tournament and feels good about their chances this season.
The tournament features the top eight teams in the state with two bids to the NJCAA Division I National Championship Tournament on the line.
Eastern Florida State College finished second in the Southern Conference and is 31-23, four of those wins coming against teams in the tournament.
The Titans have a tough road ahead of them beginning at 10 a.m. Thursday with the College of Central Florida who is No. 4 in the latest NJCAA Division I poll.
"I think our odds are pretty good this year, we open with Central Florida and we have beaten them this year and have played well against some of the other teams in the tournament, so I think this year we have a really good chance of making it out," sophomore first baseman Caitlin Meyer said. "We just have to hit, we have to string hits together and play solid defense. If we can back the pitching staff up with good defense and get them some runs, we should be good."
The Patriots come into the tournament 51-9 and are led by infielder Tiffany Steczo who is tied for first in home runs with 24 and is hitting .424 with 63 RBI.
"We bring a lot to the plate and I think we are ready for the tournament," sophomore second baseman Hailey Profeta said. "We have played them close earlier this year and I think it will be a really good game. We are coming in with confidence."
The Titans are making their 15th straight appearance in the state tournament and the sophomores are looking to improve on last season's 1-2 finish.
Nikki Pennington, who was named the Southern Conference Player of the Year, is hitting .482 with nine home runs in 40 games. The sophomore has driven in a team-high 40 RBI and scored 38 runs.
Freshman Katelyn Wilfert will get the start for the Titans and comes in with a 21-10 with a 2.42 ERA in 35 appearances this season.
The game will be the first of the day and admission to Boombah Soldiers Creek Park in Longwood is $10 for adults and $5 for students and children. State tournament games will be shown live online here.