By: Rolando Rosa - JCFloridan.com
Complete Tournament Schedule
At 10-1, the Chipola Lady Indians softball team is off a torrid start to the season. To continue that pace, they'll have some stiff competition this weekend as they host the Florida Public Utilities Classic tournament.
Chipola is hosting the tournament from Friday through Sunday throughout three locations: Chipola College , the MERE complex, and Marianna High School . In total, seventeen teams will be competing, including No. 2 nationally ranked College of Central Florida and No.9 nationally ranked Tallahassee Community College .
"It'll be a good test for us," Lady Indians head coach Belinda Hendrix said.
Hendrix says defense has been fueling the early season success. The coach even believes this might be her best pitching staff ever, high praise considering the unit she coached on the 2007 National Championship roster.
Sophomore standout Jake Elliott is 5-0 with a 0.00 ERA, pitching a no-hitter vs. Enterprise State and also allowed only one hit against both Hillsborough and State College of Florida. Performances like that from Elliott are integral to being competitive throughout the season and making a run towards the postseason.
"It's the most important part. That's what you build on. If you don't have it you can't stop teams from scoring," Hendrix said. "Last year we could have gone further with a No.2 to help Jake."
Hendrix is touting the depth of her pitching staff this year. Madison Ragan and Illona Andringa have provided quality outings for Chipola .
Ragan is sporting a 0.98 ERA in 14.1 innings pitched so far. Andringa has a 0.82 ERA and 4-0 record.
The Lady Indians are without Nalleli Lopez, their shortstop and best infielder, who broke her hand a week before the season started. Courtney Davis is filling the void as the starter for now.
"It hurts to have her out," Hendrix said. "In two to three more weeks she'll get x-rays and we'll re-evaluate where she stands."
Strong starts have fueled the Lady Indians early in the season. Chipola has outscored opponents 17-1 in the first inning. Brashante Dareus is leading the team in hits (17) and home runs (2). Gabriela Santos has a team-high 17 RBI and Ciara Jones has a pair of triples.
Chipola's opening game of the tournament is Friday Feb. 13 at 11 a.m. vs. GA Perimeter at Chipola College.