TROJAN SOFTBALL

Trojans Take 4 Wins

03/08/2010

The SSC Trojan softball team jumped to 12-3 overall and 4-0 in conference play as they clobbered Rose State College four times in two days.

 Rose State hosted the first two games when SSC downed the Raiders 13-3.  The Trojans recorded 12 hits and no errors for the game and had a huge fifth inning at bat scoring 9 runs.  Kaci Quintero (5-3) owned the pitching circle for all but one inning and came away with the win.  She also had 2 hits, 3 RBI’s and 2 runs.

Other hitters were Katie Campbell, 4 hits, 5 RBI’s, 2 runs, 1 HR; Sam Vrska, 2 hits, 1 run; Megan Whitmire, 2 hits, 1 RBI, 2 runs; Kaitlyn Fitzpatrick, 1 hit, 1 RBI, 1 run; Katelyn Garrett, 1 hit, 1 run; Madison Tollison, 1 hit 1 RBI, 1 run.

“We played well defensively, but still not making all the plays.  We were able to produce runs when we needed them the most,” commented Head Coach Kristina McSweeney.

SSC took the second game of the day 10-6 as Kimberly Cusher started off the pitching and Quintero took over in the sixth inning earning the win.  Defense was a bit shaky for the Trojans which turned into six errors, but their bats were still strong with 15 hits.

McSweeney stated, “We did not play very well this game.  We were able to squeeze out a victory after trailing behind.  We have to get better defensively if we are going to survive in this conference.”

 SSC stats:  Mindi Locke, 2 hits, 1 run; Quintero, 3 hits, 3 RBI’s, 1 run; Faythe Brandt, 2 hits, 1 run; Campbell, 1 hit, 1 RBI; Morgan Singleton, 2 hits, 1 run; Fitzpatrick, 2 hits, 1 run; Whitmire, 1 hit, 3 RBI’s; Vrska, 2 hits, 2 RBI’s.

The next day RSC came to Seminole but did not fare any better.  The Trojans owned the first game 9-1 and the second 7-1.

“Overall we played much better defensively and offensively and capitalized on their mistakes.  We were able to control the tempo of both games.  I am happy with the girls’ performance today and picking up 4 wins against a tough Rose State team,” said McSweeney.

Quinter recorded another win by pitching the first four innings in game one of the day with Cusher relieving her in the fifth.

Campbell slugged out 2 hits and came across the plate 3 times.  Teammates Quintero had 1 hit, 2 RBI’s, 1 run; Singleton, 1 hit, 1 run; Garrett, 1 hit, 2 RBI’s, 1 SB, 1 run; and Madison Tollison 1 hit, 1 RBI, 1 SB, and 1 run.

SSC started off game two on the day with 7 runs in the first inning.  All other innings were scoreless until RSC scored 1 run in the seventh.  The Trojans again had no errors.

Statistics for game two on the day:

Pitching:  Quintero (8-3) with the win, Cusher relieving in the fourth.

Hitting:  Quintero, 2 hits, 1 run; Campbell, 2 hits, 1 RBI, 1 run; Singleton, 2 hits, 1 RBI, 1 run; Vrska, 2 hits; Whitmire, 4 hits, 2 RBI’s; Tollison, 1 hit, 2 RBI’s, 1 run.

Seminole State will dual Western OK State College at home on March 10^th at 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m.

SSC Softball Splits with Paris

03/01/2010

Seminole State College and Paris Junior College faced off on Wednesday for a double header in Paris, TX.  The Trojans only gave up 6 hits in the opening game but couldn’t answer PJC’s fifth inning run and lost 3-2.

Kaci Quintero (4-3) claimed the mound and took the loss.  She also went 3-4 at the plate.  Katilynn Fitzpatrick was 1-4; Morgan Singleton, 1-3, 1 run; Megan Whitmire, 1-2, 1 run; and Chelsea Zuchnik, 1-3, 2 RBI’s.

“We did not play very well.  Our hitting was not on this game and we just had a rough game.  We lost on errors and mental mistakes,” commented Head Coach Kristina McSweeney.

SSC had a fifth inning burst of 4 runs that clinched the win in the second game 6-2.  They also recorded no errors.

Kimberly Cusher and Morgan Singleton took over the pitching duties and held Paris to only 7 hits. Cusher (4-0) earned the win and Singleton the save.

McSweeney stated, “We finally were able to put some hits together.  We made adjustments on the mound that helped out our game plan.  Overall, Paris was a solid team and we just did not perform.”

Hitters for SSC include: Quintero, 1-3; Faythe Brandt, 2-4, 1 run; Sam Vrska, 2-3, 1 run; Singleton, 1-4, 1 RBI; Katie Campbell, 3-4, 3 runs, 1 RBI; Whitmire, 1-4; Madison Tollison, 2-4, 1 run, 1 RBI; Zuchnik, 2-4, 3 RBI’s.

The Trojans will be back on the field on Thursday, March 4^th, in Midwest City, OK to compete against Rose State College, and then will take on Rose State again on Saturday on their home field at 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m.

SSC Softball Goes 4-1 at Midland

02/22/2010

The Seminole State College softball team headed off to Midland, TX last weekend to play five games in the Midland Tournament.  The Trojans came home with four wins and one loss.

SSC started off strong in their first game against El Paso Community College with 17 hits. Seven runs came in the first three innings; they then added 4 more in the sixth and 1 in the seventh inning to win the game 12-4.

Kimberly Cusher took the win while Morgan Singlton recorded the save.  Hits came from Kaci Quintero, 1-3, 2 runs; Kaitlynn Fitzpatrick, 3-4; Megan Whitmire, 3-5, 2 runs; Katie Campbell, 2-4, 2 runs; Julie Lofland, 1-2, 1 run; Mindi Locke, 1-3, 2 runs; Singleton, 3-5; Josie Soukup 2-5; and Chelsea Zucknick 1-2. 

“We hit extremely well this game and played better defense.  Cusher threw a great game,” said Head Coach Kristina McSweeney.

That same day the SSC team took on the home team of Midland College outscoring them 5-1 with no errors.  McSweeney commented, “This was one of the better teams we faced.  They had a very solid team and we had timely hits.”                

Quintero (3-1) pitched the complete game with Lofland at catcher.  Sam Vrska pounded out a home run, her second of the season, as Madison Tollison went 1-1 with a double and 2 RBI’s.

The third game for the Trojans was a nail-biter. SSC and Howard Community College were tied at 2 at the bottom of the fourth, and tied at 3 at the bottom of the sixth, until Quintero (2-4) had the game winning RBI in the bottom of the seventh for the win 4-3.

Other hits came from Fitzpatrick, 2-3, 1 run; Vrska, 1-3, 1 run; Campbell, 1-1; and Faythe Brandt, 1-3, 1 run.

“It took us a while to get in gear.  Kaci Q. came up with a great clutch hit to give us the victory,” stated McSweeney.

Cusher (3-0) was the winning pitcher and Quinter had the save (2).

Immediately following the HCC game, SSC suffered their only loss of the tournament when Blinn College defeated them 1-0.  The pitching/catching duo of Quintero and Lofland played the entire game. 

Hits came from Quintero, 2-3; Fitzpatrick, 1-2; Vrska, 1-3; Campbell, 1-3; Singleton, 1-3; Brandt, 2-3.

“This was a tough loss. We could not put our hits together.  I look forward to playing them again this coming weekend,” said McSweeney.

The Trojans finished up the tournament by winning their last game against Odessa College 5-2, recording 9 hits and 2 errors. Quintero earned the win while Cusher took over for the save.

Hits were recorded for Quintero, 2-3, 1 run; Fitzpatrick, 1-3, 1 run, Singleton, 2-3, 1 run, Campbell, 1-3, 1 run; Megan Whitmire, 2-3, 1 run; and Kalla Jones, 1-2.

“We had a better showing the second game.  Quintero pitched very well.  We had a decent weekend overall,” stated McSweeney.

SSC completed the weekend with an overall record of 7-2 and will travel to Odessa, TX to compete in the Odessa Tournament on February 27^th. 

Seminole Softball Earns 3 Wins, 1 Loss

02/08/2010

The Trojans of SSC journeyed to Odessa, TX last weekend and picked up three wins.  Their one loss was handed to them by West Texas Community College.  In the first game of the series, the Trojans faced Odessa College.  Kaci Quintero pitched the first 5 innings with an impressive seven strike-outs and gave up only three hits.  Kimberly Cusher took over in the 7th and continued to lead SSC to the victory with a score of 5-1.  Katie Campbell had her first homerun of the season. 

Hitters for SSC:  Faythe Brandt, 1-4, 1 run; Sam Vrska, 2-4, 1 run, 1 RBI; Julie Lofland, 1-3; Katie Campbell, 2-3, 2 runs, 1 HR, 1 RBI; Megan Whitmire, 2-3, 1 run, 2 RBIs; Kaci Quintero, 2-3; Madison Tollison, 1 RBI.

Howard College was the next in line to be defeated by Seminole State 7-3. Cusher was the winning pitcher with the save going to Quintero. “Our pitching staff put together a wonderful defensive game.  Cusher had a great appearance against a good team,” stated Head Coach Kristina McSweeney.  She added, “We had a great offensive game. We belted out 13 hits.”

Hitters were: Brandt, 2-2, 2 runs, 2 SB; Kaitlyn Fitzpatrick, 3-3, 2 runs, 2 RBI’s; Vrska, 1-2, 1 run, 1 RBI; Keeley Underwood, 1-2, 1 SB; Lofland, 1-2, 1 RBI; Campbell, 2-4, 1 RBI; Whitmire, 2-4, Quintero, 1-4, 1 RBI.

SSC continued to dole out the punishment by downing Temple Community College 4-3. Quintero took the win (she forced nine strike outs and gave up 5 hits) with Cusher appearing in the 7th to get the save.  McSweeney commented, “Temple had a very solid team.  We had timely hitting where and when we needed it.  Although we entered in the seventh with a four run lead, we held them to three runs in the seventh.  Kaci (Quintero) threw great!”

SSC Offense:  Morgan Singleton, 1-1, 1 RBI; Fitzpatrick, 1-4, 1 run; Vrska, 1-4, 1 RBI; Campbell, 1-2, 1 RBI; Whitmire, 1-4, 1 RBI; Quintero, 1-3, 1 run, 1 RBI; Lofland, 1-2, 1 run, 1 RBI.

Even though the Trojans had no errors, Seminole did not fair as well in the fourth game of the weekend.  Vrska hit a homerun in the fourth inning but that was the total of SSC’s runs.  West Texas scored one run in the third and sixth innings to eke out the win 2-1.  Quintero took the loss.  “We did not hit very well this game.  Our bats went quiet against a very solid pitcher.  Sam Vrska and Kaci Quintero led us offensively.  Defensively we made improvements.  We will play this team again in the Midland Tournament,” said McSweeney. 

SSC offense:  Vrska, 2-3, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 1 run; Whitmire, 2-3; Quintero, 2-3; Lofland, 1-3.

The Trojans will compete in the Midland Tournament February 19th – 20th, times TBA.

SSC Softball Preseason Poll

February 5, 2010

The NJCAA recently announced its preseason rankings for softball and the Seminole State College Trojans grabbed the 6^th   spot.

 “It is exciting that our hard work and display at the National Tournament has shown that we are a viable contender again.  We are hoping to build on last year’s performance and make another run at the regional and national tournaments,” stated Head Coach Kristina McSweeney.

Last spring the SSC women ended up at 12^th, but proved even better by winning the regional tournament and coming in third at the National Tournament.  With five returning starters and strong freshman class, led by talented pitcher Kaci Quintero, hopes are high of a repeat appearance.

Returning starters include Sam Vrska (All Region First Team), Megan Whitmire (All Region First Team), Kimberly Cusher (All Region Second Team), Katie Campbell (All Region First Team and Second Team All-American), and Kalla Jones.

The Trojans have earned their way to the National Tournament five times since the creation of the program in 1999.