LEESBURG, Fla. (Softball) – Lake-Sumter State College (LSSC) softball has announced their 2023 schedule. The Lakehawks have a 54-game schedule, hosting 34 home games at the Hawk's Nest after coming off of a 26-30 season in 2022.
The home opener will be opening weekend with a double header against Georgia Highlands College on Friday, Jan. 27 followed by the annual JUCO Classic on Saturday, Jan. 28 in Clearwater, Fla. The Lakehawks will play College of Central Florida and Eastern Florida State College.
In 2023, the Lakehawks will be officially transitioned from Division I to Division II into the Sun-Lakes Conference. LSSC will compete against Pasco-Hernando State College (PHSC), St. Johns River State College (SJRSC), South Florida State College (SFSC) and Florida State College at Jacksonville (FSCJ) in conference play.
Head coach Jay Miller is entering his eighth season with LSSC softball. He shared his thoughts on the upcoming season, "With just one returner having seen action in 40+ games, it was a battle all fall to get on the field and earn playing time.
Everything seems to be falling into place at the right time as we head into season. These girls are fired up to get on the field and that has the coaching staff very excited," said Coach Miller.
Sun-Lakes Conference will kick off mid-March with the Lakehawks traveling to New Port Richey, Fla. for a double header against reigning Region 8 champions Pasco-Hernando.
After a 16-game conference slate, the best regular season record will earn the No. 1 seed at the district/state tournament beginning Thursday, May 4 at PFX in Clermont, Fla. The winner of the tournament will travel to South Carolina for a best-of-three series against the winner of Region X.
Sophomore Day will be held on Tuesday, April 11 at the last home series against PHSC. This year, Lakehawk softball will honor 9 sophomores: Tatum McGrath, Darian Pippin, Desiree Romeo, Reese Snipes, Ali Shenefield, Mia Lovett, Kreighton Steinke, Makenzi Heaton and Raquel Camuglia.
The Region 8 preseason coaches' poll will be announced on Monday, Jan. 23. followed by the National Junior College Athletics Association (NJCAA) later that afternoon. Regular season polls will be released each Monday during the regular season starting Feb. 6 and Region 8 Player of the Weeks will be announced on Tuesdays starting Jan. 30.
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