SCF Baseball Sweeps Series Over TCC

A six run inning proved effect as the SCF baseball team (7-6) returned to the winning side on their record as they defeated Tallahassee (7-6) 13-4 at Eagle Field in Tallahassee Saturday afternoon. With the win, the Manatees are now 17-5 (2012-present) against the Eagles.

Head coach Tim Hill II sent sophomore Jake Smith to the mound for the start, while TCC head coach Mike McLeod sent freshman Stan King to counter.

The Manatees would open the flood gates at the top of the first thanks to sophomore John Malcom. The Vanderbilt Transfer smacked a three-run shot to right for his third home run of the season. This signaled the end for King as McLeod would send freshman Matt Boynton to the mound.

The Manatees would score again at the top of the second after an RBI single by sophomore Rook Ellington made it 4-0 SCF.

At the top of the third, the Manatees continued to push the lead beginning with back-to-back walks drawn by freshman Cameron Lee and sophomore Remi Patry before freshman Richard Rodriguez brought Lee home with an RBI single. Two batter later, sophomore AJ Fritz would send a single to left and send Patry home for a 7-0 SCF lead.

At the top of the fourth, the Manatees would reach double digits in runs. After freshman Owen Ayers and Lee were hit by pitch back-to-back, Patry would draw a walk to load the bases for Rodriguez. Rodriguez would send Ayers home on a sacrifice fly. Freshman Steven Nitch would follow with an RBI single before Ellington followed with a two-RBI single of his own. After Fritz flew out, Malcom would send another bomb to right for his fourth home run of the season and second in the game.

The Eagles would finally get on the board in the bottom of the fourth after an RBI triple by freshman Andrew Hernandez. Two innings later, their score would increase after sophomore Orlando Adams drew a bases-loaded walk, freshman Jude Ard hit into a fielder's choice before Adams scored on a fielding error, but it was all they could produce for the rest of the game before the Manatees claimed the victory and the sweep.

Smith would be credited with the win after giving up three runs (two earned) on three hits with three walks and four strikeouts in five innings. Smith is now 2-1 on the year.

Freshman Matt Gelorme threw three innings of hitless relief, giving up one unearned run with two walks and five strikeouts, while classmate Michael Dorso threw one scoreless inning with one strikeout.

Malcom finished the game 2-for-5 with the two home runs and five RBI with one walk. Ellington finished behind Malcom going 2-for-3 with three RBI and two runs scored.

Fritz and Nitch each had two hits. Fritz added two RBI, a run scored and a walk, while Nitch added one RBI and a run scored.

Ayers (1-for-5, one run), Rodriguez (1-for-3, two RBI, two runs and a walk) and sophomore Justin Wrobleski (1-for-1) had the Manatees' other lone hits.

King would be dubbed with the loss after giving up three runs on three hits with three walks and three strikeouts in two innings.

Fernandez, Adams and freshman Spencer Hanson had the Eagles' only team hits.

Up Next:
The Manatees remain on the road as they travel to Fort Lauderdale to take on Broward College (1-7) for the third time this season. The Manatees defeated the Seahawks 6-2 (2/1) and 12-2 (2/13).