Women’s Softball

Coach’s Corner Archives

Year: 2008 | 2007 | 2006

July 23, 2007

Congratulations to FCCJ sophomore graduates who have signed with the following schools: Angii Verbeelen, Augusta State University, Jessica Rockwell, Nova Southeastern, and Ashley Newsome and Lianne Adkins who have signed with South Carolina Wesleyan. They join fellow sophomore, Shannon Outman who signed early with James Madison University in continuing their education and softball careers at the four-year level. The other sophomore, Erin Johnson, had several opportunities to keep playing but has instead chosen to return home and just go to school at Arizona State University. Joining her teammates at four-year institutions will be Rachel Cavallaro who leaves after just one year to play at West Texas A&M University.

June 12, 2007

FCCJ wrapped up another successful year on and off the field with their second place finish in the State tournament. The team battled hard through the loser’s bracket, winning four in a row on Saturday including wins over conference rivals Seminole Community College (SCC) by a 3-2 count and Santa Fe Community College (SFCC) 10-4. They came up one spot short of qualifying for the National Championship as they couldn’t muster any offense Sunday and fell to Miami Dade College (MDC). Named all tournament for the Stars were Ashlyn Kimberly, Shannon Outman, Angii Verbeelen, Meike Witteveen and Melissa Kretzman. Also, boding well for the future was the fact that in the championship game FCCJ had 7 freshmen on the field.

In the classroom, Angii Verbeelen was named Distinguished Academic All-American as she graduated with a 4.0. Named Academic All-State were Verbeelen, Sam Barnes and Meike Witteveen. Joining those on the Academic All-Conference team were Kasey Fagen, Jessica Rockwell, Ashlyn Kimberly, Erin Johnson, Rachel Cavallaro, Kassie Crews, Jana Owen and Amanda deLancellotti. Eleven of the 18 team members earned academic recognition helping the team to a 3.1 team GPA. Angii Verbeelen grabbed nearly every award available including the Jean Williams award, both the Mid-Florida and FCCAA Female Scholar Athlete Awards, and the NJCAA Lea Plarski award.

The team really bonded and grew throughout the year and with all 12 freshmen returning the future is really bright. They will be joined by an extremely talented freshmen class that has many all state and all conference performers on it. Here are a few pictures from the State tournament trip.

May 2, 2007

On May 1, the athletic banquet was held at the Wilson Center and the softball team and players were recognized. Softball award winners were: Academic Award, Angii Verbeelen; Most Improved, Ashley Newsome; Coach’s Award, Erin Johnson; and MVP Award, Jessica Rockwell. Angii Verbeelen, the sophomore centerfielder from Keystone Heights High School, was also honored as the receipient of the President’s Award which goes annually to the athlete at FCCJ who excels in his/her sport, in the classroom, with leadership, and is active in community service. Angii was an all conference performer for two years on the field, team captain, earned a 4.0 GPA, and just a few of her community service projects included work with Special Olympics, Take Stock in Children, the United Way Haunted House at the Yulee center, visiting a nursing home once a week, numerous camps and softball clinics, and work at Shands Hospital.

Angii is the fourth straight softball player to be so honored following last year’s receipient Nicci Ward who is currently one of the top pitchers for Villanova. Prior to that was Amy Paulson who is graduating this year from Notre dame de Namur University, and she followed Krista Judge who graduated from UNC-Greensboro and is currently working for Triple Crown Sports in Ft Collins, Colorado. Angii also was just recently honored as the recepient of the Lea Plarski award which is given every year to the outstanding junior college student-athlete in the country. The criteria is similar to FCCJ’s Presidential Award. For winning this Angii will be flown to St. Louis for the annual Leadership and Sportsmanship Conference which will be attended by professional athletes and NCAA award winners as well. This is the most prestigious award available to junior college athletes in the US.

April 19, 2007

The six sophomores, Shannon Outman, Lianne Adkins, Ashley Newsome, Erin Johnson, Angii Verbeelen and Jessica Rockwell played their last games at FCCJ against Seminole Community College and went out as winners. Outman threw a shutout, Angii Verbeelen had two hits and Jessica Rockwell had a double and grand slam home run to make their final game on the North Campus memorable. The sophomores and their teammates are not finished, however, as they are preparing for the State Tournament. The team has an excellent chance for postseason success.

Feb. 23, 2007

FCCJ Head Coach, Jami Lind recorded her 900th win as a junior college head coach against North Florida Community College in Madison. Lind, in her 21st year as head coach at FCCJ, was presented the game ball by her team and assistant coaches following game two of the double header. Lind is very happy to have recorded all of the wins while at FCCJ and is looking forward to 1,000 in the near future.

Jan. 22, 2007

The softball team has been working hard in the new year preparing for the upcoming season. They open up Friday, January 26, against Brevard in Palm Bay and then will play Lake Sumter on Saturday and conclude the road trip Sunday against South Florida Community College. Here are some pictures from a recent intrasquad scrimmage at the North campus.

Late in the fall the softball team conducted a clinic for the St. Augustine Little League softball association. About 80 girls were present for the instructional clinic and three inning exhibition which followed. Everyone had a great time; and hopefully, some new young Stars and fans were found at the clinic. Following are some pictures from the day.