Explosive Offense Leads to Victory for Lakehawk Baseball

LEESBURG, Fla. (Baseball) – Behind 10 hits and 14 runs, Lake-Sumter State College (LSSC) baseball took the single-game win over CCBC Catonsville on Wednesday 14-6.

The Cardinals scored one in the top of the third inning before Lake-Sumter added two to the board the bottom of the fourth. Tad Brooks hit a two-run home run to take the lead 2-1.  

The Lakehawks extended their lead in the bottom of the fifth with a three-run blast from Andrew Merchant, his first homerun of the season.

Lake-Sumter put another run up by capitalizing on a Cardinal defensive mistake.

Down 8-1 going into the seventh inning, CCBC Catonsville strung together five hits to score four runs, but the Lakehawks answered back in the bottom half of the frame.

Camden Williamson and Eli Thurmond led off the seventh with a pair of singles. They were able to move into scoring position after a sac bunt placed by Joelvis Fernandez Angeles.

Williamson scored on a balk and Thurmond advanced to third just in time for Tanner Reid to step up to bat next with a double to left field, scoring Thurmond as well.

Ryan Jenkins drew a walk, joining Reid on the bases. Then, Jacob Delano hit a single to the right sight of the field to score Reid.

In a pitch hit situation, Dylan Bigard was able to help manufacture another Lakehawk run with a ground ball to the Cardinals' first baseman, scoring Delano.

Brooks came next with his third hit of the game to score Merchant from second base, extending their lead 14-5.

In the top of the ninth, CCBC Catonsville pushed one run across, but the 14-6 Lake-Sumter lead proved too much for the Cardinals to overcome.

Brooks went 3-for-5 with three RBIs and one run scored. Andrew Merchant went 1-for-3 with two runs scored and three RBIs.

Freshman Rodney Sesler recorded his first win of the season the mound with 2.0 hitless, scoreless innings pitched.

The Lakehawks improve to a 6-9-1 overall record. The Cardinals still in search of their first win, move to 0-3.

Up next for the Lakehawks

Lakehawk Baseball will open Sun-Lakes Conference play on Friday, Feb. 23 at Florida State College at Jacksonville (FSCJ) at 1:00 p.m. Then, Lake-Sumter and FSCJ will be at The Hawks Nest on Saturday afternoon for a double header and the series conclusion at 12:30 and 3:00 p.m.

Follow @LakehawkSports on Twitter, @LakehawkSports on Instagram and Lake-Sumter State College Athletics on Facebook for the latest news with Lakehawk athletics.