PALATKA, Fla. (Softball) – The Lake-Sumter State College (LSSC) softball team traveled to Palatka, Fla. Tuesday afternoon for their final Sun-Lakes Conference matchup of the season with St. Johns River State College (SJRSC). The Lakehawks defeated the Vikings 2-0 to capture the conference title and secure the first seed spot at the state tournament.

The Lakehawks did just enough in the top of the third inning to snag a lead that stuck for the rest of the game.

Molly Bender and Reese Snipes led off the inning with back-to-back singles. With two one, Raquel Camuglia dropped a double to left field scoring Bender.

Kreighton Steinke followed with another single to score Snipes taking the lead 2-0.

The 2-0 win was enough for the Lakehawks to capture the 2023 Sun-Lakes Conference title. This title is a historic first conference championship for both the softball program and Lake-Sumter athletics as a whole.

Head coach Jay Miller in his eighth year leading the team expressed his excitement for the team, "I cannot say enough about this group. They bought into what we were preaching from day one.

"They also bought into each other. These girls truly play for each other and it showed all season long," said Coach Miller.

Darian Pippin threw a complete-game gem for the Lakehawks. In one of the best outings of her career, Pippin allowed just two hits while fanning nine Viking batters improving to 14-7 on the year.

"Darian has been with our program for three years. The coaching staff decided she was going to get the ball for this game and she ended up throwing the best game of her career.

"I cannot say enough about her resiliency," said Coach Miller.

Four teams will advance to the Region 8 Championship next weekend at the National Training Center complex in Clermont, Fla. Lake-Sumter will enter the tournament as the number one seed.

Up next for the Lakehawks

The Lakehawks will travel Sanford, Fla. on Friday for a double header with non-conference opponent Seminole State College at 1:00 and 3:00 p.m. to conclude the regular season.

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