TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (Softball) – Sophomore softball players Ali Shenefield and Reese Snipes were named National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Region 8 Division II Players of the Week after opening weekend. Shenefield earned pitcher of the week honors while Snipes earned player of the week honors.
Ali Shenefield – Pitcher of the Week
Shenefield pitched a gem in game one of the Lakehawks' double header against Georgia Highlands. In seven innings, she allowed just one hit, while walking zero and tallied 10 strikeouts.
While single-game stats like this one have not been archived in the record book previously, Shenefield is presumed to hold one of the top spots for strikeouts in a single game for Lakehawk softball.
The last time a double-digit strikeout game was recorded was against Santa Fe in March of 2018. Jasmine McQuaig and Allie Geier teamed up to throw 12 in the 6-3 win over the Saints.
"Ali has persevered through a lot just to get back to college softball and to see her go out there and perform the way she did in her element, I can't say enough about her resiliency" said head coach Jay Miller.
Reese Snipes – Player of the Week
Snipes' bat was on fire in the Lakehawks' four games last weekend. She was a no-question decision for the award after hitting 8-for-10 on the week with two doubles, a triple, a homerun and four RBIs while reaching base and scoring three out of the four games.
In the Lakehawk's opening double header against Georgia Highlands, the sophomore shortstop was an impressive 3-for-4 with one RBI, one run scored and added a stolen base in game one. In game two, she went 2-for-2 with a double, a triple, one RBI, and two runs scored.
On Saturday, the Lakehawks traveled to Clearwater, Fla. to compete in the annual JUCO Classic.
Snipes went 1-for-2 against the College of Central Florida and later agasint Eastern Florida she went 2-for-2 with a solo shot to right field, two runs scored, one RBI, and added two walks and a stolen base.
"She (Snipes) came back this year on a mission and the results are there. She is getting out what she put in and that's a lot of hard work," said Coach Miller.
In total, Snipes led the team hitting .800 on the week with a .769 on-base percentage and a 1.500 slugging percentage. Her slugging percentage is good for highest in all of Division II for the week as well.
"We've only had two pitchers and one player of the week award in my career at Lake-Sumter. To see them earn this honor together is an awesome feat and it speaks volumes about the team itself.
They all compete against each other day in and day out. Those two were able to do what they did because they get pushed by their teammates every day to do their best" said Coach Miller.
Up next for the Lakehawks
Shenfield, Snipes and the Lakehawks will travel to Polk State College on Thursday, February 2 for a double header at 4:00 and 6:00 p.m.
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