#TCCSoftball Season Preview
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (January 27, 2017) – Tallahassee Community College's softball team will open the 2017 campaign on Friday at the annual JUCO Kickoff Tournament & Showcase in Clearwater, Fla.
The Eagles will play four games in the event beginning with Friday's Region 8 top ten battle with Miami Dade College (3:20 p.m.).
Tallahassee is ranked No. 9 in the NJCAA Region 8 Preseason Softball Coaches' Poll. Miami Dade is one spot behind the Eagles at No. 10.
Tallahassee will play three more games on Saturday – 9 a.m. vs. Eastern Florida State College, 11 a.m. vs. Illinois Central College and 3:20 p.m. vs. No. 4 Indian River State College, a re-match of opening round play at the 2016 FCSAA State Softball Tournament, a game won the Pioneers, 4-1.
The Eagles' season will continue next weekend at another prestigious event – the Triple Crown College Classic in St. Augustine, Fla. – before playing its home opener on Thursday, February 9.
Now in her 14th season as head coach, Patti Townsend will look to guide the Eagles to the postseason for the 11th time during her tenure.
"We're young and scrappy," said Townsend. "We're not going to overpower anyone, but we're consistent. If everyone does their job, we'll win some games."
Sophomore pitcher Raya Moncus, the anchor on a young pitching staff, will be counted on to eat up a lot of innings in the circle. She and sophomore catcher Elisa Cecchetti provide a solid foundation for the Eagles to build around.
They'll be joined in the lineup by returning sophomores Casey Durham, Kristina Gunter, Alycia Smith, Brooke Bates and Alyssa NeSmith.
"We're expecting better offensive years from Casey, Kristin and Alycia," added Townsend. Brooke's versatility is such a luxury – she can play so many different positions; and we'll look to Alyssa to fill the DP role and make big contributions offensively."
A solid group of newcomers has Townsend excited about the future, but knows they'll be counted on this season if the Eagles are going to be successful.
"They (newcomers) are confident, not cocky, but they have good game sense," said Townsend. "They have tons of room to grow, and I see them getting better as the year goes on and discovering their role and where they fit in to the team.
"I'm looking for their fire to play the game."
Among the newcomers are high school teammates Brandie Callaway, Callie Paine and Payton Parker, who helped Baker County High School to a state championship in 2015.
Paine, a pitcher, will get lots of innings in the circle behind Moncus. Fellow freshman Jewliana Castillo rounds out the staff and, according to Townsend, is a "nice complement" to Moncus and Paine.
Other first-year players include Cassidy Strickling, Samantha Malik, Alyssa Rosenbaum and Kacie Dobyanski.
When asked about the key to the season for Tallahassee, Townsend said the team must "stay consistent, avoid the ups and down and continue to grow over the course of the season."
They'll do so against a formidable schedule that includes a doubleheader at NJCAA preseason No. 1 College of Central Florida (March 5), as well as five games against Panhandle Conference foe and preseason No. 6 Northwest Florida State College and five more against reigning national runners-up Chipola College.
Indian River State is also ranked No. 13 by the NJCAA and Illinois Central is No. 10 in the NJCAA's Division II preseason poll.