LEESBURG, Fla. (Softball) – The Lake-Sumter State College (LSSC) softball team extended their win streak to 11 after taking two from Bryant & Stratton College (BSC) on Thursday afternoon. The Lakehawks took game one in extra innings 5-4 then took game two in a come-from-behind 5-4 win.
Game One – Lake-Sumter 5, Bryant & Stratton College 4
In game one, the Bobcats took a quick 1-0 but the Lakehawks answered back immediately taking the lead back 3-1 after the first inning.
Desiree Romeo led off the inning with a walk, then Bender stepped up with a two-run homerun, her fifth of the season.
Raquel Camuglia followed Bender with another solo homerun, also her fifth of the season.
The Bobcats tied the game up in the top of the second. The game remained tied until the fifth when both teams added another run to the board tying up the game at 4-4.
In the Texas Tiebreaker in the eighth, the Bobcats were unable to get their run across opening the opportunity for the Lakehawks in their half of the frame.
Reese Snipes started on second and Camuglia reached on an infield error. Darian Pippin stepped up next with a walk-off double to right scoring Snipes.
Pippin the hero on the offensive side for the Lakehawks, also earned the win on the mound with three innings pitched. She allowed just one hit while fanning two to move to 8-3 for the season.
Pippin's eighth win of the season gives her 19 for her career, which now ties Jasmine McQuaig (2017-18) for most wins in program history.
Game Two – Lake-Sumter 5, Bryant & Stratton College 4
The Lakehawks kept game two interesting in the come-from-behind walk-off win.
BSC took the lead one again in game two, scoring two right away in the first. The Bobcats added one more in the fourth to maintain a 3-0 lead for most of the game.
The Lakehawks added a run in fifth. With two outs, Alex Baez drew a walk to start a short rally.
Pippin singled to right and Bella Baez was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Romeo came up next with a single to left field to score A. Baez putting the Lakehawks on the board for the first time in game two.
BSC added another run in the top of the seventh bringing the score to what could have been a comfortable 4-1 lead. The Lakehawks had other plans.
In the bottom of the seventh, A. Baez, B. Baez, and Romeo all drew walks to load the bases for Bender with one out. Bender came up with a double to left scoring the Baez twins.
The Lakehawks now trailing by one, Snipes walked it off with a single to center field scoring both Romeo and Bender. The final score was 5-4.
Freshman pitcher Elizabeth Auciello earned her first complete-game win on the mound, moving to 2-1 on the season. Auciello pitched seven innings allowing four runs, two earned, with nine hits and three walks while striking out one.
"This group of girls is incredible. They fight for each other and their love for one another is genuine," said head coach Jay Miller.
"In game two, I kept hearing different players say 'Get some runs for E (Auciello)!' and 'She's pitching her butt off for us!'.
At the end of the day, this team is full of scrapy underdogs who always put up a fight for each other. That kind of attitude is infectious and resonates throughout the entire team," said Coach Miller.
The Lakehawks are now 21-9 on the season. The current 11 game win streak is presumed to be the longest standing win streak in program history to date.
Up next for the Lakehawks
The Lakehawks will travel to Daytona State College on Tuesday, March 14 for a double header starting at 4:00 and 6:00 p.m.
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