Whipple hits walk-off home run to help softball team advance

Eastern Florida State College's Jaelynne Whipple hit a walk-off home run to give the Titans a 3-2 victory at the FCSAA D1 Softball Championships Friday afternoon.

The Titans third baseman hit a 3-2 pitch over the right field wall in the bottom of the eighth inning to defeat Miami Dade College and advance in the tournament.

Eastern Florida State College will advance to the loser's bracket final against Santa Fe College at 7 p.m.

Avery Helms gave the Titans a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second inning with her third home run of the season.

Miami Dade College would tie the game with a solo home run by Leyani Viruet in the top of the fourth inning.

Jessica Merk would hit a triple in the bottom of the fifth inning and score on an Aracelis Jimenez sacrifice fly to give the Titans a 2-1 lead.

It looked like it may stay that way but Carolina Mito singled to score Jessica Ortiz in the top of the seventh inning to tie things up once again.

Whipple, Kerissa Howell and Merk each had two hits in the win.

Avery Velazquez picked up the win, tossing eight innings with five strikeouts, allowing two runs.

Eastern Florida State College will play for a spot in the South Atlantic District B Championship game at 7 p.m. Fans can watch the game on the FCSAA Digital Network.