Softball team sweeps Indian River on the road

The Eastern Florida State College softball team swept Southern Conference leader Indian River Monday night at Lawnwood Sports Complex in Fort Pierce.

The Titans improved to 21-19 overall and 9-7 in the conference which puts them in second place with three weeks left in the conference season. It is the first time the Titans have swept Indian River in recent history.

Game 1 was a pitching duel as Trinity Howard and Devan Ryan matched zeroes for six innings. Howard allowed two hits all game, both coming in the sixth inning but Howard snagged a line drive to end the threat.

In the top of the seventh inning, Rachel Lamoureaux led off with a single, Alyssa Tossi reached on an error and Haley Keeting came up as a pinch hitter. Keeting ripped a single that scored Lamoureaux for the first run of the game. With two out, Makenzie Fore drove in a run with a single and Kaitlyn Wilson drove in Courtney Stout who pinch ran for Keeting to make it 3-0.

Howard would finish the game with a strikeout, her fifth of the game. The sophomore has now won six games this season.

In Game 2 it was Mandy Hedetniemi-Taylor taking the mound for the Titans and put together a gutsy outing, working out of trouble time and time again, keeping the Titans in the game.

Down 3-1 heading to the fifth inning, Kayla Domon walked, then Brooke Theisen was hit by a pitch and Fore walked to load the bases. A fielder's choice barely got Domon at the plate, bringing up Molly Reid. Reid laid down a nice bunt and the throw home went past the catcher allowing Theisen and Fore to both score.

With the score tied 3-3 Alyssa Tossi led off the top of the sixth inning and singled. She would go to second on Grasyn Holland's sacrifice bunt. Tossi would then steal third and score on the overthrow to give the Titans the lead.

From there Hedetniemi-Taylor would finish the sweep for her 12th win of the season.

"We really need those standings wise, but we have kind of had their number all conference season, we know they like to take extra bases, they like to put balls in play however they can and they like to wreak havoc on the bases. It is something we have been working on in practice and our girls have done a real good job the last four games against them," Petik said. "The seniority of our sophomores really showed tonight. Molly's sacrifice bunt really set the tone. Really great performances on both sides tonight."

The Titans will travel to South Florida State College on Wednesday with the doubleheader beginning at 5 p.m.