Flagler’s softball players excelling in the Peach Belt

By Jaycob Ammerman| gargoyle@flagler.edu

The Flagler College Saints softball team (28-12, 4-6 Peach Belt Conference) will have a test with No. 24 (NFCA/ Div. II Top 25) Armstrong Atlantic State University on Saturday, March 26.

The Saints, who lost two games to Florida-Tech on March 24 will have to face a hot Armstrong Atlantic (20-4, 5-1 Peach Belt Conference) team that has won an exceptional eight-of-its-last-10 games, coming off a sweep of Mid-American Nazarene University.

The Saints will be led by the sensational freshmen Lauren Bessent, who currently holds a batting average of .359.

“Personally, I think it should be higher,” said Bessent, who is currently tied fourth in the Peach Belt Conference in hits (46), tied for fifth with 29 runs scored, and tied for fourth with 17 steals.

Bessent, who is striving for a championship, is very optimistic that her freshman season will end with a remarkable championship run.

“My prediction is that we will win it all, and get a ring in the process,” Bessent said.

The Saints are also led by their ace pitcher and Travelynx athlete of the week Donna Munafo. Munafo is off to a hot start leading the Peach Belt Conference with a stunning 0.75 earned run average.

Starting pitcher Kelly Riddick, who leads her team with a .400 batting average, is also another big factor in this road trip and the rest of the season. Riddick is tied for third in the Peach Belt Conference in wins (11), leads the league in hits (48), and RBI’s (43).

As a team, the Saints lead the Peach Belt Conference in: innings pitched (257.0), strikeouts (219), hits (292), and third in runs scored (202).

The Saints will be starting a three game home stand on March 28 at 2 pm at the Flagler Field Complex, when they face the struggling Lynn University Knights (6-24) on Little League Day, which is free admission to all Little Leaguers wearing uniforms.