New head coach Rob Blackmer made his debut for TBC Eagles Softball as the team opened the 2025 season at the Edward Waters Tournament at Walk-Off Charities this past weekend, Friday and Saturday, January 31 and February 1.

TBC played top Southeast scholarship programs against NAIA New College of Florida, NCCAA Scholarship program University of Fort Lauderdale, and NCAA Division 2 Savannah State University (twice). Even though the Eagles did not win, the team performed well, scored runs, played solid defense, and got stellar pitching from its ace.

Over the four games (two Friday and two Saturday), the Eagles as a team batted .231, averaged 4.25 runs per game, hit 3 doubles, drove in 14 runs, drew 17 walks, and limited the strikeouts while facing each team's ace. Even many of the outs came on well-struck balls that either went right at fielders or were run down on excellent defensive plays.

Four players hit .286 or higher: Jessica Johnson (.400), Carlin Payne (.385), Ellarie McGatha (.308), and Piper Young (.286). The quartet combined for a .321 average, 2 doubles, 11 runs, and 8 RBI.

Taylor Foster drove in 3 runs, Ashlee Shaw scored two, and Kylea Duhig had a .385 on-base percentage to help leads the Eagles offensively.

Defensively, the team limited the mistakes and got many crucial outs, some of them on the base paths, including pickoffs. The Eagles' defense also made some spectacular plays in the field.

In the circle, TBC pitching had an ERA of 5.19 against some heavy-hitting competition who normally average close to double figures per game in their own leagues. Ace Piper Young pitched a complete game against Savannah State in the opener, allowing just 2 runs (1 earned) on 2 hits in seven innings while walking 1 and striking out 5. Young made appearances in all four games, totaling 20 innings with a fabulous 2.45 ERA and 1.00 WHIP.

Duhig and Johnson also pitched some valuable innings against the high-powered opposition.

All players in attendance saw action, including the following who made their college softball debuts: Dyani Fulton, Alanah Nemecheck, Hannah Wilen, Emma Wilen, and Johnson.

Coach Blackmer expressed his delight at how the Eagles performed: "The team played well and worked as a unit," said Blackmer. "I cannot be prouder of them on their teamwork and determination they showed during these games. I am proud to be their coach and proud to be an Eagle. Go, Eagles!"

[Eagles Softball head coach Rob Blackmer]

TBC will visit NCAA Division 2 Edward Waters University on Tuesday then travel South down I-95 to visit Florida Memorial University (also NCAA D-2) and Fort Lauderdale on Friday and Saturday, respectively. The first home games are double-headers on February 21 (Truett-McConnell), 25 (Lake Sumter), and 28 (FSCJ).