Leesburg, Fla. – The 2019 season has come to an end for the Lake-Sumter State College baseball program and we will take a look back at all they have accomplished.
Robbie Scott turned in one of the program's best performances in a single season. The sophomore finished the year with the second most hits (80), fourth most total bases (112) and stolen bases (24), while taking over the top spot with 62 runs scored in a single season. His career numbers matched those of some of the all-time greats to come through Lake-Sumter. Scott finished top five in batting average (.362), games started (92), doubles (23) and RBI's (80). He finished second in all-time hits with 137.
Sophomore Jarrett Backus was named the 2018-19 Lake-Sumter State College Male Athlete of the Year as announced Thursday. Backus drove in 37 RBI's and scored 42 runs in 45 games this season. The Apopka native also owns the painfully earned mark of most hit by pitches in a season (20) and a career (36). Collin Teegarden also played his final game for the Lakehawks this spring. His 82 runs scored is fifth all-time in a career while he now owns the programs single season and career marks for walks with 45 and 84 respectfully.
Matt Coles led the pitching staff with a 6-2 record in his only year as a Lakehawk. Freshman hurler, Jake Janata carried a 7.73 strikeout rate during his first season of collegiate ball, finishing with a 3-3 record. Bryant Heston did excellent work out of the bullpen in 2019, including tossing the equivalent of a complete game in relief. Heston was 3-4 with five saves and a 2.55 ERA.
The players were not the only ones to reach milestones. Head Coach, Rich Billings won career game number 178 in the final weekend of the season. He is now tied with former baseball coach and current LSSC Athletic Director, Mike Matulia. His next win will put Coach Billings at the top as the all-time winningest baseball coach at Lake-Sumter. Coach Matulia reached his 178 win plateau in 422 games while Coach Billings got there one game sooner in 421 contests. Billings is a former player and assistant coach for Matulia and the two will look to share another special moment together in 2020.
The Lakehawks finished 2019 with a 22-25-1 overall record and 9-15 in Mid-Florida Conference play. The team's 22 wins are the most since 2013 and the third most under Billings. Lake-Sumter finished fifth in the final MFC standings.