Leesburg, Fla. – Friday marked opening day for the 2020 spring Lake-Sumter State College baseball season at home against Warner University JV.
The Lakehawks saw themselves down 2-0 after the top of the first, but wasted no time getting right back into it. LSSC was able to plate five runs of their own and never looked back.
Lake-Sumter totaled 17 runs on 17 hits during the nine inning affair to defeat Warner, 17-8. Chenar Brown must have ate his Wheaties Friday morning as he went 4 for 4 with two walks and six RBIs. His fourth hit of the game was a three run home run over the right center field fence. Angel Padilla, Gabriel Dorsey, Mickey Skole, MarkAntony Perez and Naphis Llanos all collected two hit performances in the win.
Aaron Perry earned his first collegiate win while four different pitchers were used in the victory. The staff combined for eight strikeouts and only rendered six hits in the ball game.
The win marked career victory No. 179 for Head Baseball Coach, Rich Billings, breaking a tie with current Athletic Director, Mike Matulia. Coach Billings is now the winningest coach in program history.
Coach Matulia's words on Billings' Achievement. "I am proud and honored that you are employed at Lake-Sumter State College and very appreciative of all that you have contributed to our baseball program and college. I knew you would leave a legacy the day I signed you to a scholarship. You should be proud of all that you have accomplished and honored to have coached some many great players that have made significant contributions to society."
Saturday marked the first road trip for the team in 2020, heading to St. Augustine to take on Flagler College.
After giving up three runs in the bottom of the first, Lakehawk pitching held FG scoreless over the next five innings to take a 4-3 lead. A back and forth battle ensued and heading into the top of the ninth, LSSC trailed 5-4.
Evan Badger drove a double into left field to bring Padilla around to score and send the game into extra innings. Both teams plated two runs each in the 11th to push the game into a 12th inning. Skole scampered home in the top half, but Flagler was able to bring around two in the bottom of the ninth for the walk off win.
Lake-Sumter (1-1) will take on Southeastern University JV Monday on the road. Game time is set for 5 pm.