Softball team rewrites record book in historic season

It was a banner season for the Eastern Florida State College softball program who made the NJCAA Division I National Tournament for the first time in program history.

The Titans set seven team records this season including the most wins with 46 as they reached the South Atlantic District B Championship for the second time in school history. The team received an at-large bid and made the most of the first appearance, becoming one of the final eight teams in the tournament.

"The national tournament didn't end the way we wanted it too but these girls put Eastern Florida State College on the map," Eastern Florida State College softball coach Andrew Zeger said. "We were the team no one knew about and through their play we are leaving with the respect of every team here. From the first win in Titans history at the national tournament against a great Trinity Valley team to coming back from a 6-0 deficit in a heartbreaker against FSW, these girls never backed down."

Eastern Florida State College went 2-2 in the NJCAA Division I World Series, losing twice to Region 8 teams.

"We are very proud of our Titan softball team's performance at their first national tournament," said College President Dr. Jim Richey. "This team is a trailblazer for the rise of the softball program and we commend this group for the way they represented our college in Oxford, Alabama. Congratulations to Coach Andrew Zeger and the entire team. Go Titans!"

This Titans group rewrote the Eastern Florida State College softball record books in 65 games.

The team scored the most runs (506), hit .366 as a team, slugging .564 with 54 home runs which are all season highs. The team also hit more doubles (124) and triples (33) than any Titans team before them.

Along the way they had the largest win in program history, a 26-0 victory over Hillsborough Community College and had a 10-game win streak which was the longest in Titans history.

While the team was setting records, so were numerous players.

Sophomores Aracelis Jimenez, Avery Velazquez and Annalyn Duncan will all be leaving with season or career marks in the record books.

Jimenez was two hits away from 100 this season which was second in program history but her 182 hits in two seasons is a record. Teammate Avery Velazquez is third in Titans history with 147 hits.

Jimenez scored 80 times this season which is a record and her 137 runs scored over her two seasons is the most in Titans history.

Avery Velazquez also leaves Eastern Florida State College as the career leader in doubles with 37, home runs with 20 and 144 runs batted in.

On the mound, Avery Velazquez leaves as the wins leader with 37 in her two seasons as well as the strikeout leader with 284 and finished with a 1.40 ERA over 360 2.3 innings with the Titans.

Duncan finished the season with 14 home runs which is a season record as is her 91 runs batted in.

Freshman Jaelynne Whipple led the nation in triples with 12 which is a Titans record.

"I can't thank this team enough for making this year unforgettable," Zeger said. "The staff is going to miss this team, but they etched their names as the best to ever put on a Titans jersey."