Softball team sweeps Florida Gateway Friday

The Eastern Florida State College softball team picked up a pair of wins on Friday at Titan Softball Complex.

The Titans, who improved to 4-0 on the season, defeated Florida Gateway 5-4 in the first game and then 15-0 in five innings in the second game. Jessica Merk had another couple of home runs and has now hit a home run in each of the past three games.

The first game saw both offenses get off to fast starts. Florida Gateway leadoff hitter Malana Kennard doubled to lead off the game and scored on Haley Marker's hit to give the Wolves a 1-0 lead against Titan starter Hannah Davis.

But the Titans responded in a big way as Aracelis Jimenez had a bunt single and then Isabel Otero laid down a perfect bunt, beating the throw to first. Jimenez rounded second and went to third and scored on the overthrow to third.

Tied 1-1 Jessica Merk came to the plate with two on and  blasted her second home run of the season over the left field wall. It was Merk's second home run of the year and gave the Titans a 4-1 lead.

Hannah Davis settled in and tossed four scoreless innings but got into trouible in the sixth inning. The sixth started with back-to-back singles before Davis picked up her fifth strikeout of the day. The third single of the inning loaded the bases and ended Davis' day.

Kate Dell'Alba hit a two-run double but the Titans gunned down the runner trying to score at home. Kinsey Bardroff had an RBI single to tie the game before Isabella Rosales got the final out.

Madison Velazquez led off the bottom of the sixth inning with a double and then Kerissa Howell walked to put runners on first and third. Florida Gateway pitcher Rilee Walker got the strikeout for the second out and looked like they may get out of the jam. But the Titans got aggressive on the base paths as Howell broke for second and stopped but drew the throw. As the throw went to second, pinch runner Brooklyn Scott broke for home.

The throw was late as Scott scored what ended up being the game-winning run.

Otero and Jimenez each had two hits in the game and Rosales picked up her third win of the season.

In Game 2, the Titans took advantage of walks and scored seven times in the first inning as 11 hitters came to the plate. Jessica Merk and Annalyn Duncan each had RBI singles during the rally.

Titans starter Avery Velazquez made her season debut and held Florida Gateway in check, allowing three singles over four shutout innings.

A triple by Jimenez with two outs in the third inning brought Otero up to bat. She would hit an RBI double to make it 8-0.

Then in the fourth inning the Titans would explode for seven more runs as Madison Velazquez started things with a single and would score on Brooklyn Scott's two-run double. Jessica Camacho came off the bench and hit a two-run double to make it 13-0. That brought up Merk who hammered a home run over the left field wall for a two-run home run to make it 15-0.

Otero and Madison Velazquez each had three hits in the win. Velazquez picked up her first win and Rosales came in to finish the game in the fifth inning.

Eastern Florida State College will be back at home Wednesday for a doubleheader against Pasco-Hernando State College at Titan Softball Complex. The first game will start at 1 p.m. and fans can watch the doubleheader live online at the EFSC Titans YouTube page.