“Obviously winning a series in conference is a big deal,” said head coach Tim Hill II. “It was a lopsided game on Wednesday and you just have to caution the guys that those runs don’t count for today and it’s 0-0 when you start every game and you want them to come out with their best effort. Hillsborough has got a good club and it just went our way again tonight, so the guys picked up where they left off swinging the bats. It’s great to get the series and to play well on our home field like we’ve been doing all well.”
“Daniel got it off to a good start on the mound and then we came in with the bats while adding some runs early,” said Anderson. “I think the feeling of the game was if we put them down a couple more runs, then we can close it out and that’s what we did tonight. It was a good team win.
Hill II sent Batcher to start game two, while HCC head coach Javi Miranda sent freshman Michael Schuler to counter.
After a scoreless first, the Manatees would draw on the scoreboard first as freshman Joel Perez sent an RBI double to left center to bring in Anderson to make it 1-0 SCF.
In the bottom of the third, the Manatees decided to extend the lead. After a lead-off single by sophomore Owen Ayers, classmate Tucker Mitchell would send a double to left-center to bring in Ayers. Anderson would then increase it even further as the Northwestern transfer would send a two-run blast home run to right off the scoreboard for his third of the season to make it 4-0 SCF.
Defense continued to play a big factor as the Manatees got Batcher out of a runner situation at the top of the fourth. In the bottom half, the Manatees began the inning with sophomore Richard Rodriguez reaching first and advancing to second on a throwing error and Ayers and classmate Cameron Lee drawing back-to-back walks to load the bases for Mitchell, who would draw a bases-loaded walk to bring in Rodriguez. Anderson would then ground a double to left and bring in Ayers and Lee before Mitchell scored on a wild pitch to make it 8-0.
In the bottom of the sixth, Anderson continues his dominant offense as he lined another home run to right center to bring in Mitchell and make it 10-0 SCF. It was Anderson’s fourth of the season and second of the game.
From there, Batcher sealed the deal on the mound for the win and the series.
“It feels great getting the series,” said Anderson on winning the series. “I think that’s one of our goals going into every series to win the series if we can’t get the sweep, so getting back tied for first place in the Suncoast Conference was a good win.”
Batcher would earn his fifth win of the season after throwing a three-hit seven inning shutout with six walks and five strikeouts. He is now 5-2 on the season.
“I felt good out on the mound,” said Batcher on his game. “Even though I was battling with my wrist, I was making good pitches and throwing strikes while trying to stay as consistent as possible. If I have runners on base from walking guys, then I just try to make a good pitch, get a double play or pop up and the defense made plays.”
“Daniel worked around some trouble, but he made pitches when he had to,” said Hill on Batcher. “He competes and I know he looked forwards to pitching. He told me last night that he was hoping the game was still going to happen. Tonight he pitched with some conviction and while he did lose a little focus from the walks, he gathered himself and threw a complete game shutout.”
Schuler would earn his third loss of the season after giving up eight runs (seven earned) on seven hits with four walks and four strikeouts in four innings. He is now 2-3 on the year.
Freshman Justin Kenyon gave up two runs on two hits with three strikeouts in two innings.
Anderson finished with his best offensive game as he went 4-for-4 with two home runs and six RBI. In fact, it was his first multi-home run game in his career.
“I felt really good at the plate today,” said Anderson. “Just knowing I can get some runs on the board for the team to get us a good lead. It felt really good. It was a good day.”
“The wind was blowing straight in and it was a cooler night,” said Hill. “We thought the cold weather would be over by now, but a front came through last night and kind of a windy day. Jack went backside tonight, one off the scoreboard and the other in right center. He’s got some pretty good man strength to get those two home runs. He had a great night.”
Mitchell finished behind Anderson going 2-for-3 with two RBI, three runs scored and a walk.
Perez (1-for-3, one RBI), Rodriguez (1-for-3, one run) and Ayers (1-for-3, one RBI and two runs) had the Manatees remaining three hits.
Freshmen Alex Aguila and Benji Gilbert and redshirt freshman Adrian Mella had the Hawks combined three hits.
Notes:
This was win #303 for Hill.
SCF is on a 20-game winning streak at home. It is the longest under the Hill II era.
Other Suncoast Scores:
St. Pete (16-10, 6-5 Suncoast) were able to upset #17 Florida Southwestern State (25-9, 9-2 Suncoast) winning by a score 4-3 to tie their series.
Polk State (20-14, 6-5 Suncoast) defeated South Florida State College (11-21, 1-10 Suncoast) 8-5 to win the series.
Suncoast Standings:
1. #17 FSW (25-9, 9-2)
2. #15 SCF (24-9, 9-2)
3. SPC (16-10, 6-5)
4. Polk State (20-14, 6-5)
5. HCC (8-17, 2-9)
6. SFSC (11-21, 1-10)
Up Next:
The Manatees will look to complete their second sweep in conference play against HCC. Freshman Nick Consentino will be given the nod to start game three.
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