Playing softball games on three consecutive nights this week didn’t phase the Island Coast Gators. Neither did a leap into varsity competition.

After posting back-to-back JV wins Tuesday and Wednesday, the Gators cruised to a 10-0 triumph over visiting East Lee County Thursday at the varsity level.

Despite a young roster consisting of 10 sophomores and six freshmen, the Gators have won all 11 JV games and both varsity games this season.

“We definitely came out more aggressive (for the varsity game),” sophomore Morgan Stinnett said. “We kept our heads in the game more.”

Their focus led to a strong all-around performance. Freshman starter Dana Ruff worked five scoreless innings. She scattered five hits and struck out six.

Offensively, the Gators sprayed 11 hits. Ruff and Stinnett each collected doubles, while freshman Logan Holler smacked a triple to deep left, igniting a five-run fifth-inning outburst. Sophomore Jessica Rossi had two singles, a walk, and scored three runs.

Island Coast is the Cape’s newest high school, opening its doors this academic year, but the Gators are in their second year playing JV games. The school operated in portable classrooms in 2007-08.

The Gators lost their first three last year, before winning the final four games. They planned on playing JV exclusively this year, but have added four varsity games – two each against Gateway Charter and East Lee.

Their first test came against Gateway Charter and it resembled Thursday’s victory over East Lee County. Ruff pitched a complete game on the mound and they had a consistent offensive attack, which included two hits and two RBI by sophomore Erica Kelley.

Gators coach Kristine Jahn said the team has come a long way since it began last year.

“We only had 10 players,” she said. “There were no substitutions. They all showed up and they all played.”

Year two brought more quality players, including some who have played several years of Little League and travel ball.

Ruff and Stinnett serve as team captains. They’ve provided leadership and strong performance, rotating on the mound and at catcher. Holler has given the Gators depth on their pitching staff.

The team includes sophomores Morgan Stinnett, Jessica Rossi, Erica Kelley, Jenna Braunstein, Nakisha Camacho, Natalie Cavazos, Taylie Shaw, Jesil Estrada, Alexx Seguin and Alex Ruffino, and freshmen Logan Holler, Dana Ruff, Frankie Ruffino, Nichole Tuohey, Courtney Hall and Justyne Peery.

Along with Thursday’s win over East Lee, the Gators posted a 12-0 win over Mariner in a JV game Tuesday and an 11-5 win against Sarasota Out-of-Door Academy in a JV game Wednesday. They claimed three wins last Saturday to win a JV tournament at Riverdale.

East Lee County 000 00 – 0 5 2

Island Coast 014 05 – 10 11 1

W – Dana Ruff. L – Brittney Rice.

2B – Ruff (IC), Morgan Stinnett (IC). 3B – Logan Holler (IC).