BCC Set To Meet Top-Ranked JUCO Softball Squad
By Space Coast Daily // March 18, 2013
Doubleheader On Wednesday In Palm Bay
BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – Much is at stake on Wednesday when the nation’s No. 1-ranked NJCAA Division I softball team Indian River State College travels to Brevard Community College’s Palm Bay campus to play the Titans.
The games are at 4 and 6 p.m. and admission is free.
The teams are tied for first place in the Florida College System Activities Association Southern Conference with 3-1 records and since only the top three of the five conference teams advance to the FCSAA State/NJCAA Region 8 tournament, victories are precious.
But then again each faces five conference doubleheaders beyond Wednesday before everything is said and done.
“The games on Wednesday are another step toward our goal of qualifying for state tournament,” BCC assistant coach Bob Yanczewski said. “Every game is big in our conference. Anybody can beat you if you are not playing good softball.”
BCC is 24-19 overall and has won 11 of its last 12 games. Indian River is 29-6 overall and has won nine of its last 12, splitting a doubleheader with conference foe Miami Dade College on Saturday.
In addition to streaking teams, Wednesday’s games also will showcase national-caliber players.
BCC’s Kat Ammons, a sophomore first baseman and third baseman from Jacksonville and Bishop Kenny High School, is leading the nation in runs batted in with 70 while Cassie Boggs, a sophomore outfielder from Longwood and Lyman High, is second with 57.
Boggs leads the nation in hits with 78 while Ammons is second with 68. Boggs is leading the nation in doubles with 21 and is tied for first in runs scored with 48.
Also, Boggs leads the nation in at bats with 158 and Ammons is second with 147.
BCC’s Shannen Marchu, a sophomore pitcher from Fort Pierce, and Lincoln Park Academy, is tied for first in pitching victories with 14, is tied for second in complete games with 18 and is third in innings pitched with 139.
Offensively Marchu is tied for seventh in at bats with 128, is tied for ninth in walks with 17 and is 12th nationally with 40 runs batted in.
Also, BCC’s Nichole Mills, a sophomore second baseman from Gretna, Va. and Gretna High, is first in walks with 25, is fourth with 46 runs scored, is tied for 16th in triples with three, is tied for 17th with 48 hits and is tied for 18th in at bats with 128.
Indian River shortstop Naomi Stevens leads the nation in stolen bases with 45 and outfielder Shelby Duncan is sixth nationally in walks with 18.
Beyond Indian River State BCC visits Palm Beach at 1 and 3 p.m. Saturday, visits Miami Dade at 2 and 4 p.m. Thursday, March 28, hosts Broward College at 1 and 3 p.m. Saturday, April 6, visits Indian River State at 2 and 4 p.m. Wednesday, April 10, and concludes the regular season at 1 and 3 p.m. Saturday, April 13 by hosting Palm Beach State College.
The state tournament is the week of May 2 in Pensacola.
BCC has qualified for tournament eight times in the last nine seasons.
