Leesburg, Fla. – It's been roughly 19 years since the Lake-Sumter State College softball program won 29 games, but that changed last week.
A lofty goal was set back in January by Head Coach, Jay Miller. The Daily Commercial interviewed the skipper and quoted him saying, "30 wins would be the most in school history and I believe this team is capable of that."
Tuesday, April 3, LSSC split a double header with St. Johns River. The team dropped game one by a score of 5-3. The Vikings were up 6-2 in the fourth inning of game two before Rachel Phelps hit a game tying grand slam. After stellar pitching from Jasmine McQuaig and Abbey Primavera, the Lakehawks took game two, 9-8, for win number 29 on the season. Tying the school record for wins in a season, set back in 1998.
Thursday marked a road battle with Daytona State in which the Falcons broke out the bats for an 11-1 run rule victory in the first game. Trailing 2-0 in game two in the third inning, LSSC got something going. With no one out and the bases loaded, Brooke Ferguson hit a two run double to centerfield. Nini Underwood put down a successful squeeze bunt on the next pitch to plate Rachel Phelps, before heading to second base, allowing Ferguson to score on the throw.
A combination of McQuaig and Primavera in the circle, along with stellar defensive play, helped lockdown a 4-3, record setting victory.
The win marked the 30th on the season. Not only a single season record for the Lakehawk softball program, but it also guaranteed the team's first winning record since 1999.
"I'm so proud of these girls," said Miller. "They put in the work, they overcame adversity and now they are the winningest team in program history."
With just four games remaining in the season, the Lakehawks are in a four team race to capture three of the final spots in the Mid-Florida Conference Tournament. Their current record is 30-25, 9-11.