TCC Softball returns to action, sweeps Lincoln Trail

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (March 1, 2013) - Tallahassee Community College evened its record at 8-8 on Friday afternoon, sweeping a doubleheader from Lincoln Trail (Ill.) College at the TCC Softball Complex.

Tallahassee picked up a 10-2 win in game one and kept the offensive surge going in the nightcap, rolling to a 16-0 victory. 

Rain decimated Tallahassee's February schedule and, entering Friday's action, the Eagles hadn't taken the field in two weeks and had played the second fewest games (14) of any FCSAA team. Nevertheless, the Eagles came out white-hot against the Lady Statesmen, totaling a combined 26 runs in the doubleheader. 

In the opener, Tallahassee put three runs on the board in the first, and that was enough for starter and winning pitcher Krysta Hoani, who struck out six over 3.1 innings. 

Lincoln Trail broke up Hoani's shutout bid in the top of the fourth, scoring two runs and eventually knocking out the New Zealander. Ashley Dobson came on in relief and tossed the final 1.2 innings. 

Tallahassee answered with four runs in the bottom half of the fourth then ended the game in the fifth with a single run to clinch the 10-2, run-rule victory. 

Ashley Heath-Smith (2-for-4, 2 R, RBI), Kacey Mattos (2-for-3, R, RBI), Kelly Engwall (2-for-3, 3 R) and Cherise McEnery (2-for-3, 2 RBI) had two hits apiece for Tallahassee. 

In the nightcap, Brianna Murillo homered twice and drove in six runs to lead the Eagles to the 16-0 win. 

Tallahassee only managed seven hits in game two but took advantage of ten walks issued by the Lady Statesmen. 

The game was scoreless heading to the bottom of the third, but the Eagles exploded for ten runs then added six more in the fourth. 

Brittany Wright finished off the one-hitter in the fifth, ending the game via the run rule. She struck out six and walked a pair of batters. 

Mattos (2-for-3, R, RBI) added another multi-hit performance for Tallahassee. 

Every Tallahassee starter scored at least one run, led by Marina Cobbs and Dominique Davis, who crossed home plate three times each. Heath-Smith added three RBI.

Tallahassee returns to play on Saturday when it travels to Florida State College at Jacksonville. Game one begins at 1 p.m.

SCHEDULING UPDATE: Tallahassee will host Santa Fe College on Tuesday, March 5 in a doubleheader beginning at 4 p.m. The teams were previously rained out on February 19 and February 26.