Softball team goes 1-1 on opening day in Clearwater

The Eastern Florida State College softball team went 1-1 on the first day of the JUCO Kickoff at Eddie C. Moore Complex in Clearwater.

The Titans opened the season with a dominating pitching performance from freshman Mandy Hedetniema-Taylor as Eastern Florida State College posted a 3-0 victory over Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College.

Hedetniema-Taylor struck out 14 hitters and didn't allow a hit until the seventh inning to give coach Shelby Petik's first win as the head coach.

"Mandy set the pace for us in the circle," Eastern Florida State College softball coach Shelby Petik said. "Along with some timely hitting and aggressive base running we were able to get the job done."

Brooke Theisen scored the first run in the second inning, reaching on an error and taking second base on the play. She would advance to third on a wild pitch and scored on Addi Lyle's groundout.

Victoria Vasquez reached on an error in the fourth inning and scored on Sarah Leach's drive to center field that was misplayed. Leach would also score on the play to make it 3-0.

Theisen had two stolen bases in the game.

Game 2 saw South Georgia State College pick up the 8-0 win.

Eastern Florida State College will play two more games on Saturday, opening the day against St. Petersburg College at 1:30 p.m. and then will wrap up the tournament at 6:30 p.m. against Lake Sumter State College.