Softball team opens regular season Thursday afternoon

The Eastern Florida State College softball team will open the spring season Thursday afternoon at Titan Softball Complex.

The Titans, who won 39 games last season and return 10 players from that team, will open against the State College of Florida-Manatee in a doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m.

Avery Velazquez is back for the Titans after being named a first team NJCAA Division I All-American last season. In her freshman season, Velazquez went 24-11 with a 1.22 ERA while hitting .416 with 69 RBI. Twin sister Madison Velazquez hit .411 while both Aracelis Jimenez and Jessica Merk are back and both hit over .350 last season.

The State College of Florida-Manatee is looking to rebound from a six-win season last year with head coach Brett Sauerwein heading into his second season.

The Tees have their top five hitters all back this season as Kaitlyn Shea hit .387 leads season while Kierstyn Aumua and A'Lana Martinez hit .377 and .372 respectively. Bri Thies and Brooke-Lynn Hildebrand also both hit over .340 last season.

Hildebrand, Martinez and Aumua made up the pitching staff as well last season.

Admission to Thursday's season opener is free of charge and fans can watch it live online at the EFSC Titans YouTube page.

Head coach Andrew Zeger talks about the team and opening the season, check it out here.