- March 21, 2025
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Florida State College at Jacksonville signee Alexis Laura throws a pitch for the Bulldogs. Photo by Brent Woronoff
FPC's Ana Gimbel, Sadie Schell and Gabby Stevens. Photo by Brent Woronoff
Ashleigh Pigeon started for the Bulldogs against University. Photo by Brent Woronoff
Alexis Laura was one of three pitchers who faced University on Feb. 29. Photo by Brent Woronoff
Aliya Buckles makes contact on a pitch. Photo by Brent Woronoff
Alexis Laura leads the Bulldogs with a 2.28 earned run average and 15.1 innings pitched. Photo by Brent Woronoff
Alexis Laura pitched 3.1 innings against University. Photo by Brent Woronoff
FPC's Gabby Stevens takes a ball. Photo by Brent Woronoff
Ashleigh Pigeon started in the circle for FPC against University. Photo by Brent Woronoff
Flagler Palm Coast first-year softball coach Brooklynn Jimeson purposely assembled a top-heavy schedule this season.
“We’re excited to play the tough teams early, so we’ll know what to work on,” she said.
So far, the results have been mixed. After opening the season with a 13-3 win at St. Augustine, the Bulldogs lost 1-0 to 2023 Class 2A state champ University Christian of Jacksonville and 9-1 to 2023 regional finalist Spruce Creek.
In a home game against University High of Orange City on Thursday, Feb. 29, FPC gave up six runs in the third and seventh innings and fell to the Titans 15-4.
Jimeson still came away with some positives.
“We put the ball in play,” she said. “We only had two strikeouts.”
They followed the loss with wins against Seabreeze (12-0) and St. Augustine (18-4) to improve to 3-3.
Jimeson was an assistant coach with the Bulldogs last year when they went 13-5 and earned a playoff berth. This year’s team has more depth, she said.
“We have three catchers this year and two pitchers. We have tons of options,” she said.
Matanzas transfers Skylar Ludovici and Ashleigh Pigeon have been sharing time in the pitching circle with senior Alexis Laura, who has signed to play at Florida State College at Jacksonville next year. All three pitched against the Titans. Laura has a 1.48 earned run average in 23 1/3 innings pitched.
Freshman Mackenzie West has been sharing time behind the plate with junior Sadie Schell. Through six games, West is leading the Bulldogs with a .700 batting average and 14 RBIs. She went 3 for 4 with four RBIs and a double against the Titans, while Pigeon went 2 for 3 with three runs scored.
“We’re pretty new together,” Jimeson said. “I’m excited for the rest of the season.”
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