LEESBURG, Fla. (Baseball) – The Lake-Sumter State College (LSSC) baseball team fell to Hillsborough Community College (HCC) on Wednesday afternoon. Behind 13 hits, HCC defeated LSSC 15-11.
HCC jumped ahead from the first inning scoring four runs on four hits in the top of the first inning, then added three runs on two hits in the second, two runs on two hits in the third, and one run on one hit in the fourth to secure a significant lead over the Lakehawks.
Lake-Sumter manufactured one run in the bottom of the second after Carson Russell drew a walk. Matt Tinder came up with a two-out double allowing Russell to score their first run of the game.
The score remained 10-1 until the bottom of the sixth. With two runners on, Dannon Smith blasted his first homerun of the season to bring the score to 10-4.
The Lakehawks tacked on four more runs in the bottom of the seventh. With bases loaded, Matt Tinder sent a sac fly to left field allowing Nate Tinder to score.
Levi Anderson came up next burning the HCC outfield with a triple to right center field scoring Smith and Russell. Luke Bentley followed with a single up the middle to score Anderson bringing the score to 11-8.
Unfortunately, the HCC offense answered back in the top of the ninth adding four more runs to their lead on three hits.
The Lakehawks made a last-minute effort in the bottom of the ninth with a three-run homerun by Ryan Monaghan but ultimately was not enough to take the lead.
Seven Lakehawk pitchers saw time on the mound against HCC but starting pitcher Trey Clinton recorded the loss for the game. Clinton pitched 1.0 inning allowing four runs on four hits and three walks.
The Lakehawks moved to 5-8 on the season headed into Sun-Lakes Conference play this weekend.
Up next for the Lakehawks
The Lakehawks will travel to Florida State College of Jacksonville on Friday, February 24 to open Sun-Lakes Conference play. They will play a single game at 1:00 p.m. and then return to The HawksNest on Staurday for a double header.
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