LEESBURG, Fla. (Baseball) – The Lake-Sumter State College (LSSC) baseball team played Florida State College at Jacksonville (FSCJ) for a three-game series to open up Sun-Lakes Conference play on Friday and Saturday. The Blue Wave took game one and two while the Lakehawks secured a win in game three.

Game 1 – Lake-Sumter 3, FSCJ 8

FSCJ hosted the first game of the series on Friday, February 25.

LSSC scored first in the first inning. Ryan Monaghan drew a walk with two outs, stole second, advanced to third on a fielding error and scored on a single by Nate Tinder.

The Lakehawks were down 5-1 by the top of the fifth when they manufactured one more run. Luke Bentley led off with a single to left, followed by a walk by Monaghan.

A sac fly by Hunter Looper moved Bentley and Monaghan to scoring position. N. Tinder followed with another sac fly to score Bentley.

By the ninth, the Lakehawks trailed the Blue Wave 8-2. With one last chance, Kendal Spencer sent a double down the right field line to score Levi Anderson from first after drawing a walk but the rally was cut short at one run.

Jake Dorn pitched the first 5.1 innings recording the loss for the game. FSCJ scored seven runs, three earned, on five hits, five walks and six strikeouts.

Preston James threw 2.2 innings allowing one run on three hits and no walks with five strikeouts.

Game 2 – Lake-Sumter 5, FSCJ 6

In a back-and-forth game, the Blue Wave managed to clinch the first series with Lake-Sumter 6-5.

The Lakehawks got a 3-0 lead right away in the bottom of the first. Spencer led off with a single and advanced to third after a double by Bentley.

Monaghan came up next with a two-run RBI single and advanced to second on the throw attempt home. Then Looper singled to right center to score Monaghan.

LSSC added another run in the bottom of the second after Matt Tinder led off the inning with a walk. Anderson and Spencer both reached on bunts.

With the bases loaded, Bentley grounded out up the middle into a double play that allowed M. Tinder to score bringing the Lakehawk lead to 4-0.

FSCJ tied the game up in the top of the third scoring four runs on two hits. With the bases loaded, Blue Wave sophomore Josh Green hit a grand slam over the right field fence.

The Lakehawks took the lead back in the fourth with Anderson starting the inning with a one-out single to right and a stolen base. Spencer drew a walk and with Bentley up to bat, Anderson and Spencer managed a double steal to put themselves in scoring position.

Anderson scored a ground ball to third base. The Lakehawks led the Blue Wave 5-4 headed into the fifth.

FSCJ scored two more runs to secure their win, one in the fifth and one in the sixth.

Max Windham pitched 5.0 innings recording the no decision for game two. Windham allowing five runs, four earned, on five hits and four walks with four strikeouts.

Gregory Bori recorded the loss for game two after throwing 2.0 innings. He allowing one run on two hits and two walks while striking out four FSCJ batters.

Game 3 – Lake-Sumter 2, FSCJ 1

The Lakehawks took game three in a close 2-1 win.

The game remained scoreless on both sides until the bottom of the fourth when the Lakehawks when Spencer led off with an infield basehit.

Monaghan drew a walk, advancing Spencer to third and then the two pulled off another double steal to be in scoring position for Hunter Looper to place a perfectly hit ball up the middle. Spencer scoring put the Lakehawks up 1-0.

The Lakehawks scored on more in the bottom of the seventh after Anderson led off with a single to the left side. Dannon Smith singled up the middle after Anderson stole second base allowing him to score their second run of the game.

The Blue Wave scored their only run of the game in the top of the eighth.

Sebastian Miller recorded his first collegiate win on the mound after pitching 6.0 innings. He allowed no runs on just three hits and one walk while fanning six FSCJ batters.

Tyler Toro pitching 2.0 innings allowing the only run of the game on three hits. N. Tinder recorded his third save of the season after pitching the top of the ninth inning, fanning one Blue Wave batter.

The Lakehawks are now 6-11 overall and 1-2 in conference play. FSCJ is now 5-11 overall and 2-1 in conference play.

The two teams will meet up again on March 31 and April 1. The Lakehawks will host the first game of the series on Friday and then travel to Jacksonville, Fla. on Saturday for a double header to conclude the series.

Up next for the Lakehawks

The Lakehawks will host the College of Central Florida on Monday, February 27 at 2:30 p.m. Live stream video and live stats will be available for those who cannot attend.  

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