Extra innings win over Gulf Coast State College keeps SCF Softball undefeated at State Tourney

PENSACOLA, Fla.- SCF Softball beat Gulf Coast State College 2-1 in eight innings of State Tournament action. Paige Mathews went the distance striking out nine batters and one earned run. Gulf Coast jumped out ahead with a run in the second inning with two base hits, a hit by pitch, and sac fly to center field off Mathews. The Manatees did not answer until the bottom of the fifth inning from an Angie Dascoli RBI single scoring Gianni Artidiello. Dascoli (3-for-4) started the 8th inning rally again with a lead off single. Dani Wayt executed a sacrifice bunt putting Dascoli in scoring position with one out. Ashley Burney (2-for-3) hit a single to keep the rally going and moved Dascoli to third. This allowed Ashley Brooks to hit a fielder's choice scoring Dascoli with two outs in walk-off style. Gulf Coast then faced and beat Tallahasse Community College in the losers bracket. GCSC will face SCF for the second time on Sunday morning, 11am EST for the Gulf District Championship. The FCSAA/Region 8 Tournament gives two NJCAA National Tournament berths. The Manatees will have to beat Gulf Coast State College to earn a berth. The State Tournament is a double elimination tournament and SCF remains undefeated. The Gulf District Champs meet the Atlantic Distric Champs for a State Championship game. Both opponents of the state championship game go to the NJCAA Tournament.