Game Day Preview: Lady Indians set to open State Tournament
Chipola will take on NJCAA #5 College of Central Florida in the first round of the FCSAA State Tournament
Chipola vs. College of Central Florida - FCSAA State Tournament
Boombah Soldiers Creek Park, Longwood, Florida - Noon
The 2021 Panhandle Conference Co-Champion Chipola Softball team (22-17) will begin play in the 2021 FCSAA State Tournament on Friday, May 7, at noon (central). The Lady Indians will matchup with the College of Central Florida, the champions of the Mid-Florida Conference, in a battle of two of the top five teams in the FCSAA.
The Lady Patriots (#2 FCSAA; #5 NJCAA) come into today's game on an eleven-game winning streak and an overal record of 42-6. They are led at the plate by freshman outfielder, Gianna Guerriero, with a batting average of .539 on the season. Guerriero has also hit five homeruns and stolen 45 bases. In the circle, freshman, Madison Edwards has carried most of the load with a 17-3 record in 22 appearances.
Chipola is led offensively by All-Panhandle Conference First Team member, Marley Sims. The freshman shortstop is batting .469 on the season and has an on base percentage of .514. In the circle, the duo of Zayla McBurrows and Legiha Kirby have carried much of the load for the Lady Indians. McBurrows, another All-Panhandle Conference First Teamer, is 10-5 on the season with an ERA of 2.71 and leads the team with 94 strikeouts in 87.2 innings pitched. Freshman Leigha Kirby is 6-4 on the season and carries an ERA of 2.70. Kirby's 6-1 record in conference play led to being named the Panhandle Conference Pitcher of the Year.
The two teams met early in the season with the Lady Patriots taking a 14-0 win over the Lady Indians. Chipola has won 12 of their last 14 games including their last five.