SCF Baseball Falls in Series Finale vs SFSC

Despite winning the series, the SCF baseball team (13-11, 2-1 Suncoast) dropped the finale to South Florida State (14-11, 1-2 Suncoast) 4-3. With the loss, the Manatees are now 23-13 against the Panthers.

For the finale, head coach Tim Hill II sent sophomore Justin Wrobleski to the mound while South Florida State head coach Rick Hitt sent sophomore Tyler Tipton to counter.

The Manatees were off to a good start at the top of the first as sophomore Jamarcus Lyons would send a two-run blast to left for a 2-0 SCF lead. It was Lyons' third home run of the season. The Panthers would respond back and get their first run of the game after an RBI groundout by sophomore Trey Fields.

At the top of the second, the Manatees were able to extend their lead to 3-1 after an RBI double by freshman Jacob Steinberg, but soon the Panthers would come alive in the bottom of the fifth, thanks to a bases clearing double by sophomore Leo Alfonzo.

The Manatees tired to find a way to tie the game, but were unable to as the Panthers took the finale.

Wrobleski would be dubbed with the loss after giving up four runs on two hits with five walks and seven strikeouts in seven innings. Wrobleski would go to 2-2 on the year.

Freshman David Barrett threw one scoreless inning with one strikeout.

Tipton would go to 2-2 after throwing a complete game, giving up three runs on six hits with two walks and five strikeouts.

Steinberg would be the only Manatee with a multi-hit game as he finished 2-for-3 with an RBI and a walk.

Lyons would finish 1-for-4 with a home run and two RBI. Lyons was the only Manatee in the game with multiple RBI. Lyons finished the series 4-for-14 with three home runs and eight RBI.

Ellington and sophomores John Malcom and Aaron McKeithan had the Manatees' final three hits.

Alfonzo and sophomore Zeddric Burnham had the teams only two hits.

Other Suncoast Scores:
FSW (15-9, 2-1 Suncoast) took the series finale against Polk State (12-11, 1-2 Suncoast) as they won 2-1 in the third game.

Hillsborough (13-12, 2-1 Suncoast) claimed the series over St. Pete (11-11, 1-2 Suncoast) winning the final game 9-3. The Hawks will be back in action against FSW, while the Titans face SFSC.

Suncoast Standings:
1. FSW (15-9, 2-1 Suncoast)
2. SCF (13-11, 2-1 Suncoast)
3. Hillsborough (13-12, 2-1 Suncoast)
4. SFSC (14-11, 1-2 Suncoast)
5. Polk State (12-11, 1-2 Suncoast)
6. St. Pete (11-11, 1-2 Suncoast)

Up Next:
The Manatees would prepare themselves for their next Suncoast series as they face Polk State starting Saturday afternoon, March 7 at 1 pm at Bing Tyus Yard in Winter Haven. The second game will be at Wynn Field Monday night, March 9 at 6 pm before the third game heads back to Bing Tyus Yard Wednesday night, March 11 at 6 pm.