Manatees Take the Series Against South Florida

Game 1 - 2/26

The Manatees delivered a dominant all-around performance, shutting out South Florida State College 8–0 behind strong pitching and timely extra-base power.

In the circle, Dava Hoffer was in complete control. The right-hander tossed a five-inning one-hit shutout, striking out four and working around four walks to keep South Florida State off the scoreboard. The Panthers managed just a single hit in the contest and were unable to generate any sustained offense against Hoffer.

Offensively, the Manatees were patient and opportunistic, drawing six walks and collecting 10 hits. Kaylin Smith led the charge, going a perfect 2-for-2 with two walks, two RBIs, two runs scored, and a stolen base. Kierstyn Aumua provided the biggest swing of the game with a three-run home run, finishing with three RBIs on the afternoon.

Bree Urban added an RBI, while Brooke-Lynn Hilderbrand chipped in two hits, including a double. SCF also turned two double plays defensively, highlighted by strong infield work from Smith, Urban, and Jamie Sepsick to erase scoring threats.

After a close start, the Manatees broke the game open in the later innings, capitalizing on free passes and defensive miscues to extend the lead. With lockdown pitching and balanced offensive production, SCF secured the 8–0 run-rule victory in commanding fashion.

Game 2 - 2/27

In an 11-inning thriller, the State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota outlasted South Florida State College 7–6 in a hard-fought battle that featured clutch hitting and a marathon effort in the circle.

SCF collected 11 hits and used timely execution to break through in extra innings. Kaitlyn Shea delivered a key performance, driving in two runs while doubling and scoring twice. Brooke-Lynn Hilderbrand added two hits, including a double, and an RBI, while A'Lana Martinez chipped in a pair of hits, an RBI, and a stolen base at the top of the lineup.

Bree Urban drove in a run and reached base twice, and Genesis Lopez provided a crucial RBI off the bench. Jamie Sepsick scored twice and doubled as the Manatees capitalized on productive outs, including sacrifice bunts from Cailinne Kelly and Lopez, to manufacture key runs late.

In the circle, Dava Hoffer went the distance in the 11-inning complete game, allowing six runs (four earned) on 11 hits while striking out five. She worked through multiple high-pressure situations and kept the Panthers off the scoreboard in the decisive final frame to secure the win.

South Florida State matched SCF with 11 hits of its own, led by Summer Givens' three-hit effort and multi-hit games from Alyssa Bustos and Jaylynn Rodriguez. The Panthers pushed across six runs and forced extras before the Manatees responded with the go-ahead tally.

In a game defined by resilience and timely execution, SCF's persistence at the plate and endurance in the circle proved to be the difference in a dramatic 7–6 extra-inning victory.