TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (Softball) – The Florida College System Activities Association (FCSAA) announced the 2023 Division II All-FCSAA/All-NJCAA Region 8 teams and major awards on Wednesday afternoon. The Lake-Sumter State College (LSSC) softball team has five honorees, including both major award selections.
On Monday the FCSAA announced the all-conference teams. The Lakehawks had five first team and two second team selections.
All-Sun-Lakes Conference First Team
Reese Snipes, Infield
Molly Bender, Outfield
Raquel Camuglia, Catcher
Darian Pippin, Pitcher
Ali Shenefield, Pitcher
All-Sun-Lakes-Conference Second Team
Desiree Romeo, Outfield
Kreighton Steinke, At-Large
Player of the Year – Molly Bender
Pitcher of the Year – Ali Shenefield
Coach of the Year – Jay Miller
Head coach Jay Miller shared "Coming into this year, we had one returning position player and one returning starting pitcher. To get to this point, having Player and Pitcher of the year as well as three other first team selections and two second team selections, is a testament to the talent on this team.
"They pushed each other all year. These awards are individual, but to become all-conference, you have to have competition that challenges you and makes you better," said Coach Miller.
The 2023 Division II All-FCSAA/All-NJCAA Region 8 Team and major awards were announced on Wednesday.
All-FCSAA/All-NJCAA Region 8
Reese Snipes, Infield
Molly Bender, Outfield
Raquel Camuglia, Catcher
Darian Pippin, Pitcher
Ali Shenefield, Pitcher
Player of the Year – Molly Bender
Bender has made her presence known as a freshman. Bender completed the regular season at a .461 average, .523 on base percentage and a .773 slugging percentage with 71 hits, 63 runs scored, 11 homeruns, 41 RBIs, 40 stolen bases and 20 walks.
Additionally, Bender led the conference in batting average and stolen bases and was top-five for RBIs and homeruns.
Most recently, Bender became the new single-season hits, runs scored, and stolen bases leader in the Lakehawk record book. With games still left in the season, Bender is also top-five in several other categories.
"We knew the day she committed; Molly was going to be a game changer for us. To see someone with so much talent put in the work to get better day in and day out is amazing.
"She told us she does not hit homeruns, but because of the work she put in in the weight room and on the field, she is sitting at 11 this year alone.
"She is talented, but she is also very driven. She is a special player and person," said Coach Miller.
Pitcher of the Year – Ali Shenefield
Shenefield has had an impressive year in the circle, dominating nearly every team faced. For the season, she is 16-1 with 121 strikeouts while maintaining just a 1.52 ERA.
Earlier in the season, Shenefield threw the program's first-ever perfect game. Since then, she now owns the single-season wins record and single-season strikeout record, and is top-five in several others with games still left to play this season.
"It has been amazing to just sit back and watch Ali go to work every time she takes the ball into the circle.
She is one of those kids who has developed so much off the field that she feels and plays extremely comfortable. We are very proud of her," said Coach Miller.
The Lakehawks will enter the Region 8 Championship as the number one seed. They are set to face number four seeded Pasco-Hernando State College at 12:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 4 in the first round of the tournament in their pursuit for a program-first state title.
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