Indian River Wins Three Games at NFCA Leadoff Classic

Indian River Wins Three Games at NFCA Leadoff Classic

Indian River State College's women's softball team traveled to Columbus Georgia to participate against some of the nation's elite softball teams this past weekend. The Pioneers took on five nationally ranked teams, winning three of five games.

Jones County 5 IRSC 3

In the opening game IRSC took on #1 ranked Jones County College. The Pioneers fell behind 3-1 and couldn't recover in a 5-3 loss despite out-hitting Jones County CC six to five.

Sophomore pitcher Liz Gollin took the loss. Gollin pitched a complete game, allowing five hits and five runs while striking out six.

Freshman second baseman Kirsty Granville led Indian River with two hits in three at bats.

IRSC 7 Kirkwood 1

In the team's second game on Friday IRSC defeated #4 nationally ranked Kirkwood CC 7-1.

In the second inning the Pioneers got their offense going when freshman third baseman Brooke Mathews drove in the team's first run of the game with an RBI single to centerfield.

IRSC scored three more runs in the fifth inning. Sophomores Juliana Speranza and Brittini Norwood contributed in the big inning with RBIs.

Sophomore pitcher Dawn Bodrug earned the win. She surrendered one run on five hits over seven innings, striking out 14.

Freshman shortstop Taylor Dyal led the offense with two hits in three at bats.

IRSC 7 Illinois Central 3

In the teams opening game on Saturday IRSC grabbed an early lead on its way to a 7-3 victory over #6 nationally ranked Illinois Central.

IRSC scored on a RBI single by sophomore outfielder Mya Maddox in the first inning and a sacrifice fly by freshman catcher Juhle Prange .

IRSC added to its lead on a bases loaded walk by Maddox in the second inning, a two run double by Juliana Speranza, , and Prange's second run scoring sacrifice fly of the game.

Freshman pitcher Hailey Astill pitched the Pioneers to victory. She surrendered three runs on six hits over six innings, walking none.

LSUE 7 IRSC 4

After going 2-1 in pool play IRSC qualified to participate in the tournaments gold bracket and took on #2 nationally ranked LSU Eunice.

Against LSUE IRSC fell behind early in the 7-4 loss. Down 6-0 the Pioneers notched three runs in the fifth inning on back to back run scoring doubles by Lillie Rodriguez and Juhle Prange, closing the LSUE lead to 6-3.
LSUE added a run in the bottom of the 4th inning, extending its lead to 7-3.

IRSC continued to rally in the 5th inning on a run scoring single by Rachael Samaniego, but the Pioneer's threat ended with a lineout to the shortstop leaving the bases full of Pioneers.

IRSC totaled ten hits in the game. Prange and Madison Headley collected multiple hits for the Pioneers. Headley and Prange each managed two hits to lead the offense.

IRSC 5 DMACC 0

In the team's final game of the weekend IRSC defeated #7 nationally ranked DMACC of Iowa 5-0.

Once again sophomore pitcher Dawn Bodrug was dominant in the circle for the Pioneers allowing zero runs, two hits and struck out 15.

IRSC totaled ten hits in the game. Madison Headley, Brooke Mathews, and Taylor Dyal each had multiple hits for IRSC. Mathews and Headley each collected three hits to lead the offense.

Bodrug was named to the All-Tournament team. In her 16 innings of work she allowed one run, seven hits and struck out 34 batters.

The Pioneers return to the diamond on Friday, taking on North Iowa Area Community College. Game times in Ft. Pierce are 2:00 and 4:00.