TROJAN SOFTBALL

Seminole Softball Earns 3 Wins, 1 Loss

February 8, 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, 1 RBI; 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.