Pirates Begin Panhandle Play with Mixed Results

Pensacola State College's softball team began their Panhandle Conference play with a thrilling series against Chipola College on March 15th. The Pirates showcased their resilience and skill, securing a narrow victory in the first game but facing challenges in subsequent matches.

PSC 3 Chipola 2

The Pirates took the first game with a close 3-2 win. Chipola scored early with a run in the first inning, but Pensacola State responded in the third. Karri Pritchard walked, and Keira Trim's sacrifice bunt allowed Pritchard to advance to third. A throwing error enabled Pritchard to score, tying the game. With two outs, Alexis Zerquera doubled and scored on Morgan Maple's double, giving the Pirates the lead. Two passed balls in a row allowed Maple to score, making it 3-1. Chipola's leadoff batter in the seventh hit a ball to left-center, but Gabbie York's quick throw cut her down at third base for a crucial out. Yala Zwakman closed out the game, pitching a gem with four strikeouts and scattering eight hits.

PSC 0 Chipola 8 (6 innings)

In the second game, Chipola's bats came alive, and the Pirates struggled to string together hits. The Indians won decisively, 8-0, in six innings. Morgan Maples managed to go 1-for-3 with a double.

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On Monday, the Pirates hosted College of Lake County in a single non-conference game, emerging victorious with a 7-5 win. Pensacola State held a 4-0 lead going into the fourth inning, but Lake County rallied with six hits to score five runs and take the lead. The Pirates responded immediately in the bottom of the inning. Karri Pritchard drew a leadoff walk, followed by a single from Keira Trim. Gabbie York then blasted a three-run home run to centerfield, reclaiming the lead. Anna Reily entered the game in relief in the sixth, retiring all six batters she faced and striking out two to record the save. Alexis Zerquera was credited with the win, throwing two innings in middle relief. Pritchard was 3-for-3 with a double and three runs scored, while York had two hits, including a double and a home run, with five RBIs. Megan LaMorte added a solo home run in the third inning.

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The Pirates faced the nationally ranked No. 2 Northwest Florida on Wednesday. In the first game, Karri Pritchard led off with a single and scored on Gabbie York's double. Pensacola State plated another run when York stole home in a double steal attempt. Yala Zwakman kept the powerful Raiders at bay for four innings before Northwest Florida scored four runs in the fifth. York hit a solo home run in the sixth for Pensacola State's final run, but the game ended 8-3 in favor of Northwest Florida.

NWF 10 PSC 0 (5 innings)

The second game saw Pritchard lead off with a single and score on a double from Katie Morgan, but that was the only offense Pensacola State could muster. The Raiders exploded for 10 runs, securing a dominant victory.

Pensacola State will travel to Tallahassee on Saturday for a doubleheader against the Eagles.