By Barron Demons
In what was arguably the most important game of the season during a play-in tournament and during the FCSAA (Florida College System Activities Association) Region 8 State Tournament, center fielder Natalie Sorensen comes up big for the Pirates.
The freshman hails from Monticello, Fla., just outside of Tallahassee. She played at Aucilla Christian Academy [high school] before committing to play for the Pirates. Sorensen finished second on the team in home runs and had a .285 batting average during the regular season.
Most players usually perform better when playing at home. When playing away, however, Sorensen has had her better games.
She has a .320 batting average, 13 runs batted in (RBI) and three of her five home runs came when the Pirates played an away game.
One of those home runs came on Saturday April 21, when she belted a grand slam to center field. The four runs batted in by Sorensen were enough to hold off Gulf Coast State College (GCSC) and advance to the state tournament.
In Longwood, Fla., at the FCSAA Region 8 State Tournament, Sorensen hit another home run during an elimination game against Indian River State College (IRSC). It was the only run scored during the team’s run for a state championship.
During the Pirates final five games, Sorensen had a hot bat. She contributed with two home runs, seven RBIs and five hits.
The Pirates season ended in a heartbreaking fashion during the final inning of their FCSAA Region 8 State Tournament game, but Sorensen will be returning for her sophomore year to continue to produce as a player, and to help the Pirates get back into the state tournament.