Posted: Mar 08, 2024
Indian River Splits with Defending National Champion FSW
Game 1
Game 1
Indian River State College
(19-1, 7-0)
1
Florida Southwestern State College
(19-2, 6-1)
0
| Final (9) | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Indian River State College | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 10 | 0 |
|
Florida Southwestern State College | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
Game 2
Game 2
Indian River State College
(19-2, 7-1)
2
Florida Southwestern State College
(20-2, 7-1)
14
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | R | H | E | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Indian River State College | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 2 |
|
Florida Southwestern State College | 0 | 0 | 7 | 7 | X | 14 | 11 | 0 |
FORT MYERS, FL- Indian River State College (IRSC) softball faced Florida Southwestern State College (FSW) for a double header on Thursday, March 7. Game one was defensive, with a pitching battle leading to extra innings. The Pioneers had multiple chances to score throughout the game with runners on and in scoring position, including loading the bases in both the first and second inning. Unfortunately, some events prevented the Pioneers from scoring, and the game was tied at zero heading into the ninth inning. J'dah Girigorie led Indian River by drawing a full-count walk, followed by singles from Adrianna Portanova and another from Presley Smith that drove Girigorie in. Two hard-hit fly balls ended the top half, and the Pioneers took the field to close out the game. Girigorie, who would get the complete shutout win, got all three final outs herself, including striking out the last two Buccaneers to end the contest.
Girigorie finished game one with 13 strikeouts and yielded just one hit, throwing all nine innings. Additionally, the defense was free of errors while turning two double plays, and the offense, despite just one run, collected 10 hits, seven walks, and swiped a perfect seven out of seven on stolen bases. This victory was the third straight win over FSW, including last season's final home double header sweep over the Buccaneers.
Game two looked quite different for Indian River, as The River struck early and went up 2-0 in the top of the third. Unfortunately, the tide turned in the bottom half after beginning with a strikeout by Pioneer pitcher, Ciara Gendron to start the frame. FSW strung together some hits and walks to mount their comeback. From there, the inning quickly got away from IRSC, which found themselves in a 7-2 hole after three complete. The Pioneers looked to keep the game manageable with some changes in the circle, but the Buccaneers continued to add to their lead in the fourth. In the end, IRSC had to settle for the road trip spilt, losing game two (14-2). Some other positives in addition to the early lead, included Jordyn Lillis's fourth stolen base on the day and Presley Smith's third. FSW and Indian River remain tied (7-1) in a battle near the top of the Citrus Conference. The rematch against Florida Southwestern State College is scheduled later this season on April 23 at The River.
The Pioneers return quickly to action at home on Saturday March 9, to face State College of Florida (Manatee-Sarasota) at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.
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