Panthers’ softball struggles to generate offense during the Felsberg Invitational

By Brett Shweky/Sports Director – Nicholas Poblete/Asst. Sports Director – Cristhian Plasencia/Asst. Sports Director

 

Game One: (1-0) FIU 4 – (0-1) St. John’s 1

 

Panthers’ softball opened the 2018 season with a 4-1 victory over the St. John’s Red Storm on Feb. 9 at the Felsberg Invitational, as pitcher Shannon Saile (1-0) controlled the opposition by striking out a career-high 15 batters.

Saile’s performance marked the eighth game in her FIU career in which she has reached double-digit strikeouts. Last year’s Conference USA Freshman of the Year concluded the matchup only allowing four hits and one run.

The sophomore ace discussed how she doesn’t feel extra pressure from her successful season last year, and just wants to put the team in a position to succeed.

“I don’t feel pressure, I mean obviously people expect a lot from me,” said Saile. “But I think I’m just going out there and pitching my game for my team.”

FIU took an early 2-0 advantage in the third, when senior first baseman Kasandra Castle singled to right field, sending both junior left fielder Tatyana Forbes and junior center fielder Jackie Schoff home for the first runs of the season.

In the fifth inning, the Panthers tacked on another two runs to push their lead to 4-0 against St. John’s. With FIU having loaded bases, Castle was hit by a pitch which allowed right fielder Araceli Peralta to score. Junior pinch hitter Natalie Orcutt was then walked by St. John’s pitcher Madison Morris for the fourth run of the day.

Schoff ended the first game with a game-high two hits and runs scored, while Castle finished with one hit and three RBI.

In FIU’s first game of the 2018 season, their opening lineup featured two freshmen: second baseman Venessa Gallegos and catcher AnnMarie Cooker. Later in the six inning, freshman Kayla Whitehead pinched hit for Cooker, making it her career debut for the Panthers.

Panthers’ Head Coach Gator Rebhan discussed how the freshman will have a critical impact on this year’s squad.

“We have a good 5 or 6 that we know are solid,” said Panthers’ Head Coach Gator Rebhan, following the first day of the Felsberg Invitational. “Right now we have a couple of young girls battling to see who’s going to take over certain positions.”

The softball team will play their second-game of the doubleheader against the Hofstra Pride.

 

Game Two: (1-1) Hofstra 5 – (1-1) FIU 0

 

In their second game of the Felsberg Invitational, the Panthers struggled to generate any runs with the Pride shutting out FIU 5-0. 

Starter Megan Kugelmann (0-1) struggled to keep Hofstra at bay, as the junior allowed nine hits and five runs in the seven innings she pitched.

The third proved to be the inevitable downfall for the Panthers with Hofstra scoring all five of their runs in the inning.

Hofstra’s first baseman Brittany Allocca scored the first run of the night for the Pride, when she singled to right field to score center fielder Lydia Witkowski. Right fielder Brielle Pietrafesa followed up with a three RBI double to right center, increasing the Pride’s lead to 4-0.

The final run in the inning was scored Pietrafesa, when catcher Kaitlyne Musa singled up the middle.

The Pride’s starting pitcher Sophie Dandola (1-0) controlled the Panthers’ batters, as she restricted them to only four hits. Four different FIU players had the four hits.

Next up for FIU, the team will play in yet another doubleheader in the second day of the Felsberg Invitational. The Panthers’ first game of the doubleheader will be against St. John’s for the second time this weekend. Following their matchup against the Red Storm, FIU will conclude the day against the South Carolina Gamecocks.

 

Game Three: (2-2) St. John’s 8 – (1-2) FIU 0

 

For the second-straight game, FIU’s batters failed to score any runs against their opposition. St. John’s starting pitcher McKenzie Murray (1-1) dominated the Panthers’ hitters, leading the Red Storm to a 8-0 victory.

With the third game of the Felsberg Invitation being shortened to five innings, there was limited time for the Panthers to get their offense going.

Murray allowed only two hits in the five innings she pitched and restricted all four runners from reaching home plate.

The Panthers’ pitching struggled early, as St. John’s scored seven of the eight runs in the first and second inning.

FIU starting pitcher Megan Kugelmann (0-2) made her second-appearance of the year and continued her uneasy start to the season. The junior only pitched in 1.1 innings, however gave up four hits and five runs during this span.

Freshman Allison Muraskin made her FIU debut as she came in for relief duty. Muraskin finished out the game for the Panthers allowing six more hits and also three more runs.

The Panthers will look to rebound in the second-game of the doubleheader against the South Carolina Gamecocks. The Panthers’ matchup against the Southeastern Conference opponent will conclude FIU’s second day at the Felsberg Invitational.

 

Game Four: (2-2) FIU 3 – (3-1) South Carolina 1

 

The softball team defeated South Carolina 3-1 in their third day at the Felsberg Invitational; as Panthers’ starting pitcher Shannon Saile led the team to their second win of the season behind her 15 strikeouts.

In the third inning, senior first baseman Kasandra Castle got the game going for the Panthers with a double to center field. Castle’s only hit of the game allowed both Natalie Orcutt and Tatyana Forbes to score, giving FIU a 2-0 advantage.

“I was waiting for my pitch, she threw a lot of low pitches to everybody else,” said Castle. “So, I had some insight from my teammates. I crowded the plate, so they kind of kept it out and then some rise balls and high pitches.”

South Carolina’s Dixie Raley came in to replace starting pitcher Kelsey Oh at the bottom of the fourth. FIU again, pinned down with two outs, right fielder Araceli Peralta singled to left field scoring Rivera and allowing her to reach second on the throw from the pitcher.

“When Shannon is pitching it’s very important you give her a two-run led,“ said Coach Gator Rebhan. She’s going to strike out a lot of batters.”

Saile only allowed four hits and kept her composer after giving up a late seventh inning run. She struck out Cayla Drotar and Anna Vest swinging to seal the victory. The FIU star pitcher tallied 30 strikeouts in her two starts.

“She [Shannon Saile] goes after them,” said Rebhan. “She doesn’t let up and she puts people away with no fear.”

FIU will play twice more in the final day of the Felsberg Invitational, with the Panthers taking on Hofstra in the first game and East Carolina in the second.

 

Game Five: (4-1) Hofstra 2 – (2-3) FIU 0

 

The first game of the day for the Panthers was decided in the eighth inning, when Hofstra’s Sarah Edwards sent the ball outside the stadium, allowing her and teammate Lydia Witkowski to run the bases and reach home base.

The matchup between Hofstra and FIU featured seven scoreless innings. Panthers’ starter Shannon Saile and the Pride’s starter Sarah Cornell were in an intense pitching duel, and the defenses of both teams were playing excellent.

Saile struck out 10 opponents, allowed three walks and only allowed one earned run on three hits. Saile received her first loss of the regular season (2-1) despite her efforts.

Throughout Saile’s three starts in the Felsberg Invitational she accumulated 40 strikeouts. The sophomore currently leads the nation in total strikeouts following the opening weekend.

Cornell (1-1) limited FIU’s batters to only two hits and struck out 11 during the eight innings she pitched in.

“I was hoping our defense would play better, and our offense would be a little better,” said the head coach. “Unfortunately, the young players, some of them freshman’s, struggled defensively. They gotta loosen up and not feel the pressure. Hitting wise, our offense, we struggled.”

FIU will play their final game of the Felsberg Invitational against the East Carolina Pirates.

 

Game 6: (2-3) East Carolina 6 – (2-4) FIU 4

 

The Panthers’ opportunity to conclude the Felsberg Invitational on a high note and take an even (3-3) overall record, was taken away due to the strong play of the East Carolina Pirates.

ECU and FIU played through three scoreless innings, however in the fourth inning, the Panthers demonstrated their offensive capabilities. Kayla Whitehead, AnnMarie Cooker, Tatyana Forbes and Jackie Schoff ran the bases to give the Panthers a 4-0 lead.

Despite their early lead, the Panthers were unable to hold the Pirates’ offense back and began to lose ground in the sixth inning. ECU center fielder Tyler King scored off an FIU error, while first baseman Meredith Burroughs sent the ball soaring past the outfielders with a home run.

With momentum on their side, the Pirates were able to come back thanks to four runs in the seventh inning. Third baseman Karlie Smith hit a home run, allowing her and her two teammates, who were on base, to run and put the Pirates in a 4-6 lead.

Freshman pitcher Kendahl Dunford threw for five scoreless innings, but allowed the Pirates to get two runs in the sixth inning. Dunford’s first start at the collegiate level was marked by four strikeouts, allowing four hits.

At the top of the sixth inning, junior pitcher Megan Kugelmann replaced Dunford. Kugelmann gave up two hits and four unearned runs during her time on the field. The junior pitcher was given the loss, putting her personal record at 0-3.

After the weekends Felsberg Invitational the Panthers sit on a 2-4 record. Head Coach Gator Rebhan was reluctant to have all his players come out of the opening weekend healthy.

The softball team will travel to Las Vegas on Wednesday, to participate in the Marucci Desert Classic. The Panthers will open up their participation in the classic against Utah State at 12 p.m. on Friday. According to Rebhan, the team will begin preparations for the classic on Tuesday.

“They just gotta go out there and play,” said Rebhan. “We’re a good defense, we shouldn’t be making these mistakes. Just hoping its freshman jitters. Next week hoping they loosen up a little bit and we play better defense.”