LEESBURG, Fla. (Baseball) – The Lake-Sumter State College (LSSC) baseball team opened the 2024 season with Santa Fe College and Millennia Atlantic University (MAU) over the weekend. The Lakehawks picked up a win in game two against MAU on Saturday after sophomore Nathan Quinn led the team to victory with a program-first no-hitter on the mound.
Friday, Jan. 26 – Lake-Sumter 7, Santa Fe 13
Lake-Sumter traveled to Santa Fe on Friday afternoon to open the season in Gainesville, Fla. against Santa Fe College. The Saints defeated the Lakehawks 13-7.
As a team, Lake-Sumter came out swinging going 17-for-42 as a team, but ultimately fell short. Ryan Jenkins, Ean Gimson, Andrew Merchant, and Eli Thurmond all recorded multiple hits in the loss.
Four Lakehawk pitchers saw the mound against the Saints. Sophomore Tyler Toro recorded the loss with three innings pitched, allowing eight runs on seven hits and two walks with four strikeouts.
Lake-Sumter will host Santa Fe back at The Hawks Nest later in the season on Wednesday, April 17.
Saturday, Jan. 27, Game One – Lakehawks 0, MAU 5
MAU's Rafael Romero held the Lakehawks to just two hits in game one of Saturday's double header. The two Lakehawk hits came from Jenkins and Merchant.
Two Lakehawk pitchers saw time on the mound in game one. Larson McMaster recorded the loss with 5.1 innings pitched.
McMaster allowed five runs on five hits with six strikeouts. Sophomore Gregory Bori came in in relief, pitching 1.2 innings holding MAU to five runs on no hits with three strikeouts.
Saturday, Jan. 27, Game Two – Lakehawks 12, MAU 0
The bats came alive in game two against MAU. Lake-Sumter held a 2-0 lead over the MACAWS for most of the game until the fifth inning when the offense went on a 10-run rally to secure the win.
Merchant was 2-for-4 with three RBIs, two runs scored, one walk and one stolen base. Jenkins went 2-for-3 with 2 runs scored and a walk.
Jacob Delano went 1-for-4 with three RBIs, and one run scored. Tad Brooks, Dylan Bigard, Camden Williamson, and Luke Bentley also contributed to the Lakehawk win with one hit each.
Sophomore left-handed pitcher Nathan Quinn threw a complete-game no-hitter for a Lakehawk baseball program-first. Quinn threw seven innings, recording eight strikeouts and just three walks.
Head coach Rich Billings expressed his excitement for Quinn after the historic win for both the program and his young career, "I could be not more proud of Nathan Quinn. These are the momnets you work so hard for as a player and it was so rewarding to see his teammates celebrate the milestone with him.
"As a coach, it really reinforces the relentless effort that we put into building a very special culture here at LSSC. This is a huge moment for a very special young man, but also for our program.
"Hats off to our catcher, Edwin Melendez, as well, who called every pitch of that game on his own. I belive that makes this acheievment even more special," said Coach Billings.
Quinn is now 1-0 on the mound and the Lakehawks improved to 1-2 on the season.
Up next for the Lakehawks
The Lakehawks will be back at The Hawks Nest on Monday, January 29 to host Eastern Florida State College at 3:00 p.m. Livestream video and live stats will be available to those who cannot attend.
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