- April 17, 2024
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Tiana Hernandez hasn' t given up more than three hits in any game so far this season. Photo by Jeff Dawsey
Ja' kya Wiggins beats the throw to the plate for a single off a bunt. Photo by Jeff Dawsey
Savannah Evans draws back to catch a pop fly in the outfield. Photo by Jeff Dawsey
Rival coaches but best friends Sara Novak and Mindi Scala-Sanders were all smiles after the game, talking about their upcoming spring break they planned to spend together. Photo by Jeff Dawsey
Kiara Bass smashes the ball to left field for a single. Photo by Jeff Dawsey
Matanzas senior Jayden Ward hoped his body paint would motivate the Lady Pirates to get the win. Photo by Jeff Dawsey
Sarah Dillon got one of Matanzas' two hits off Hernandez. Photo by Jeff Dawsey
Tiana Hernandez was simply unhittable. The Flagler Palm Coast sophomore only allowed two hits but struck out nine batters to lead the Lady Bulldogs past crosstown rival Matanzas 4-0 on Friday, March 10, at Matanzas.
Hernandez and the Bulldogs have won seven out of eight this season, and she's causing batters fits. In addition to her no-hitter performance, no team has picked up more than three hits off of her.
"That's my goal for every game," Hernandez said, "to give up three hits or less."
The game was expected to be a pitching dual between Hernandez and Lady Pirate Madison Bodin — also a sophomore — who has led Matanzas to its best start in program history with a 7-3 record. Bodin didn't have her best night, as she surrendered four runs and six hits while only striking out two batters.
The Pirates also struggled on offense, failing to capitalize on several scoring opportunities with runners on base.
"We weren't as aggressive as we have been," Novak said. "They (FPC) obviously hit the ball well, but we needed to field our positions better."
While getting the victory over Novak, Scala-Sanders praised Novak for turning around the Pirates' softball program.
"She could probably brag more on what she's done to that program than what I've done," Scala-Sanders said. "I know where she started there."
Novak credits hand-to-eye coordination drills and more offense to her team's early success this season, saying, "We've always been a great defensive team, but this year we're showing up with more offense, although we didn't against FPC."
