LEESBURG, Fla. (Baseball) – No. 18 Lake-Sumter State College (LSSC) baseball traveled to Ocala, Fla. on Tuesday afternoon for a single non-conference game against the College of Central Florida (CCF). The Lakehawks defeated the Patriots in a close game 6-4.

Ryan Jenkins kicked off the top of the first inning with a single. Tad Brooks joined Jenkins on the bases with a single.

Jenkins and Brooks advanced into scoring position on a wild pitch for Edwin Melendez hit a ground ball to the infield, scoring Jenkins from third for a 1-0 lead.

CCF tied the game up in the bottom of the first and took a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the second.

Jenkins led off the top of the third inning with a double followed by a single from Jacob Delano. Brooks stepped up with a single up the middle to score Jenkins and Delano, taking the lead back 3-2.

The Lakehawks extended their lead in the top of the fourth, 4-2, after capitalizing on a throwing error from the Patriot infield.

The Patriots put another run across the plate in the bottom of the fourth, still trailing Lake-Sumter 4-3.

The Lakehawks loaded the bases in the top of the sixth. Brooks hit a fly ball out to center field to score Luke Bentley from third, recording his third RBI of the game.

On a wild pitch, Jenkins added another run to the board extending the Lakehawks' lead 6-3.

CCF manufactured one more run in the bottom of the seventh, but could not make a comeback, falling to Lake-Sumter 6-4.

Starting pitcher Nathan Quinn threw 4.0 innings, recording the no decision. He allowed three runs on seven hits with three strikeouts.

Cristian Montes posted the win on the mound to improve to a 2-1 record on the year. With 3.0 innings pitched, he allowed just one run on three hits with three strikeouts.

Bryan Burtoft took the mound in the eighth, recording the save with 2.0 innings pitched. He held the Patriots scoreless the final two innings to help the Lakehawks to victory.

The Lakehawks move to a 24-18-1 record. Lake-Sumter and CCF play again on Tuesday, Apr. 30 for the final Lakehawk home game of the 2024 regular season.  

Up next for the Lakehawks

Lakehawk Baseball will continue Sun-Lakes Conference play against Sun-Lakes Conference opponent No. 14 St. Johns River State College (SJRSC) this weekend.

Game one will at The Hawks Nest on Friday at 3:00 p.m. Livestream video and stats will be available to those who cannot attend. 

Saturday's double will be at SJRSC on Saturday at 2:00 and 5:00 p.m.

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