SCF Baseball Drops Tough Game over CCF

Ocala, Fla - The SCF baseball team (2-5) put the challenge to the test but were unable to upset #18 Central Florida (7-1) as they lost by a score of 5-4 With the loss, the Manatees are now 9-7-2 against the Patriots.

Head coach Tim Hill II sent sophomore Jakob Mattos to the mound, while CCF head coach Marty Smith sent sophomore Shawn Gulliums to counter.

The Patriots would get on the board first in the bottom of the first after an RBI groundout by sophomore Miguel Useche until the Manatees decided to open to respond back at the top of the second, thanks to a two-run homer by sophomore Richard Rodriguez to give the Manatees a 2-1 lead. It was Rodriguez’s first collegiate home run with the Manatees.

At the top of the fifth, Smith made the decision to pull Gulliums after hitting freshman Harrison Long and sent redshirt sophomore Mason Ronan to come in for relief.

The Manatees would load the bases after redshirt freshman Owen Ayers was hit by a pitch and redshirt sophomore AJ Fritz reached first on a fielding error. This would bring sophomore Jack Anderson to the plate as the Northwestern transfer would send a single to right and bring in Long before Ayers scored on a wild pitch to extend the Manatees lead 4-1.

In the bottom of the fifth, Mattos would be replaced by redshirt freshman Matt Gelorme after loading the bases before the Patriots tied the game 4-4 after an RBI single by redshirt freshman Matthew Cedarburg, a bases-loaded walk by freshman Tre Hondras and Ronan scoring on a wild pitch.

For the final three innings,the Patriots were able to pull away with a walkoff win as Hondras lined an RBI double to right to seal the deal.

Mattos and Guilliams received no decision for the games: Mattos gave up four runs (three earned) on four hits with two walks and four strikeouts in four innings, while Guilliams gave up two runs on one hit with three walks and six strikeouts in four innings.

Sophomore Clay Callahanwould earn the loss after giving up one run on two hits with three strikeouts in two innings of relief.

Gelorme threw two scoreless innings of relief with one walk and three strikeouts.

Redshirt sophomore Francisco Mateo would earn the win after throwing three scoreless innings of relief giving up one hit with one walk and six strikeouts. Ronan threw two innings of relief, giving up two runs (one earned) on two hits with three walks and three strikeouts.

Rodriguez was 1-for-3 with a home run and two RBI, while Anderson (1-for-5, one RBI), Long (1-for-3, one run scored) and Ayers (1-for-3, one run scored) had the Manatees remaining four hits.

Cedarburg was the only player with a multi-hit as he went 2-for-4 with one RBI, while Hondras was 1-for-3 with two RBI (the only multi-RBI game).

Up Next:

The Manatees will return home to Wynn Field for their next home game as they welcome Pasco-Hernando State (3-5) Thursday afternoon, February 6 at 4 pm.