Ricky Bumgardner Jr | 1.29.2026
Eastern Florida State College Softball Opens 2026 Season with Opening Day Doubleheader Sweep
MELBOURNE, Fla. — The Eastern Florida State College Titans kicked off the 2026 NJCAA Division I softball season in impressive fashion with a doubleheader sweep over the State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota on Thursday, January 29, 2026 at the Titan Softball Complex.
Coming off a strong 39-win season in 2025 and entering the year ranked 16th in the NJCAA Division I preseason poll, EFSC carried that momentum into the season opener.
Sophomore Anna Duncan walks off to dead center in Game 2 for EFSC
Big Offensive Start
In Game 1, the Titans unleashed a balanced offensive attack, scoring 13 runs to outpace the State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota 13-9. Sophomore Jessica Merk came up in a big way launching her first Home Run of the Season.
Eastern Florida State College continued the offensive pressure late in Game 2, trailing in the bottom of the 7th. Sophomore Madison Velazquez bounces one through to left tying the game for the Titans. This then set the stage for some Eastern Florida cinema. Sophomore Annalyn Duncan steps to the plate with 2 on and 2 outs. The Sophomore sends a blast to dead center leaving the yard to complete the Walk Off victory for the Titans.
Ricky Bumgardner Jr spoke with Head Coach Andrew Zeger who said "It felt great to get back out there with the girls. They battled and the experience of the Sophomores were huge in the double header sweep"
Looking Ahead
With the win, the Titans begin the season 2–0 and look to build off this strong foundation as they progress through non-conference matchups and prepare for Region 8 competition. Eastern Florida State College returns home on Friday with a doubleheader against Florida Gateway . First pitch set for 1 p.m. at Titan Softball Complex.
Fans can follow updated stats, full box scores, player highlights, and live video links through the NJCAA official stats portal and the Eastern Florida State College athletics website throughout the season.
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