Baseball Shuts Down UTJV

Bradenton, Fla - The SCF baseball team (10-5, 1-2 Citrus) were able to bounce back in non-conference play as they shutout the University of Tampa JV 7-0 at Robert C. Wynn Field. 

"It was good to see the guys play well on our field," said head coach Tim Hill II. "I thought it was a well-rounded game for them, but anytime they throw a shutout, you have to feel good about it. We have really battle tested since the beginning of the season was on the road majorly. It was nice getting back on top."

"Our hitting was very timely and really helped set the tone," said sophomore Jalen Hairston. "We did pretty well."

"It was pretty good day," said sophomore Erick Almonte. "The pitchers and hitters did really well and we won the game, which was all that matters."

"I thought we did well as a team," said freshman Dylan DeLeo. "I thought the pitching was good even if we put runners on base, we still were able to not let them score."

Hill II sent freshman Aidan McBride (1-0, 6.14 ERA) to the mound, while Tampa JV head coach Mark Johnson went with graduate student Christian Morel to counter.

After McBride breezed through the top of the first, the Manatees would get on the board in the bottom half of the inning. After Almonte drew a leadoff walk, Hairston would send a towering shot over the right field fence for his third home run of the season.

One inning later, the Manatees would extend their lead in the bottom of the second beginning with a leadoff walk by sophomore Jayce Blalock. After classmate LT Cockrill drew a walk of his own before they moved into scoring position, Blalock would take a moment and score on a wild pitch before Hairston would send a single to center to bring in Cockrill for a 4-0.

After McBride breezed through the third, DeLeo would come in for his second appearance in an SCF uniform as he was able to strike out two batters at the top of the fourth. He would work himself out of a jam with two runners and strikeout two more batters.

The pitching scene for change again for the Manatees as freshman Gavyn Bowen would come in at the top of the sixth and despite putting two runners on, Bowen was able to breeze through the inning. In the bottom half of the inning, the Manatees would make it 5-0 after Cockrill, who reached with a single and advanced to third on a Hairston single, scored on a wild pitch.

At the top of the seventh, Hill II would then send sophomore Bryan Gomez to take over and despite putting two runners on, the New Yorker would get out of the inning. Sophomore Preston Wetherell would then come in at the top of the eighth and breeze through the inning.

In the bottom of the eighth, the Manatees would add their final runs on the board. After Almonte reached first on a fielder's choice and stole second, Hairston would send a double to right in 'Carol's Corner' and send Almonte home before freshman Allan Gil-Fernandez would hit a double of his own to left to bring in Hairston and make it 7-0 SCF. From there, freshman Pip Smalley would come in for the ninth inning and seal the deal for the Manatees.

McBride would earn a no-decision after throwing three hitless innings with two walks and three strikeouts. DeLeo would earn his first collegiate win after throwing two scoreless innings of relief with two walks and four strikeouts.

"I thought I did good," said DeLeo. "While my command on the fastball wasn't the best, my curveball really helped set the tone."

Morel would be hit with the loss after giving up four runs on three hits with three walks and three strikeouts in two innings.

Three Manatees would have a multi-hit game. It was Hairston that would lead the way in hitting and offense as he went 4-for-5 with a home run, two runs scored, four RBI and one stolen base. In fact, he was a triple shy of hitting for the cycle.

"I felt good at the plate," said Hairston. "I was just coming in ready to hit out of the box and I was ready in my hitter's time."

"Jalen is one of our best players and he had a really good night," said Hill II on Hairston.

Cockrill (2-for-2) and Gil-Fernandez (2-for-4) rounded out the order with two hits each. Cockrill added two runs, while Gil Fernandez added one RBI and one walk.

Almonte, who missed the first 14 games of the season due to injury, went 1-for-4 with two runs scored, one walk and one stolen base.

"While I did feel a little sloppy, it didn't matter because I was happy to play in my first game this season," said Almonte on his debut. "Now I can focus on Polk State"

Sophomore Luis Garrido (1-for-3, one stolen base) had the remaining hit, while Blalock (one run and one walk), Smalley (one inning of relief with one strikeout), Wetherell (one inning of relief with one walk and one strikeout), Gomez (one inning of relief with two strikeouts) and Bowen (one inning of relief with one walk and one strikeout) also contributed in the game.

For the Spartans, junior Aidan Wallace lead the way in hitting as he finished 2-for-3 with two walks.

Other Citrus Conference Scores:

Seminole State College of Florida (11-4, 2-1 Citrus) defeated Community College of Baltimore County - Catonsville (0-2) 4-3 and 6-4 in a doubleheader.

Eastern Florida State (7-8-1, 0-3 Citrus) fell to Lake Sumter State (5-9-1) by a score of 5-3.

Florida Southwestern (11-5, 3-0 Citrus) defeated Palm Beach State (9-3) 15-2.

Polk State (10-9, 1-2 Citrus) defeated Webber International JV 10-1.

Hillsborough (12-4, 3-0 Citrus) defeated Pasco Hernando (5-9) 5-3.

Santa Fe (11-5, 2-1 Citrus) fell to St. John's River State (11-6) by a score of 8-5.

Daytona State (7-7, 0-3 Citrus) defeated Rollins College JV 4-2.

Miami Dade (9-8) defeated Elite Squad Academy 6-5.

Citrus Conference Standings:

1. Indian River State (10-3, 3-0)

2. Hillsborough (12-4, 3-0)

3. Florida Southwestern (11-5, 3-0)

4. Seminole State (11-4, 2-1)

5. Central Florida (10-4, 2-1)

6. Santa Fe (11-5, 2-1)

7. SCF (10-5, 1-2)

8. Polk State (10-9, 1-2)

9. Miami Dade (8-8, 1-2)

10. Daytona State (7-7, 0-3)

11. Eastern Florida (7-8-1, 0-3)

12. St. Pete (5-8, 0-3)

Up Next:

The Manatees will resume Citrus Conference play as they face Polk State for the next three games. They will first travel to Winter Haven to play at Bing Tyus Yard Thursday night, February 22 at 6 pm before turning back to Robert C. Wynn Field Saturday afternoon, February 24 at 1 and 4 pm.

Sophomore Brandon Clarke (1-1, 6.46 ERA) will start game one in Winter Haven while classmates Ed Wagner (2-1, 3.15 ERA) and Liam Best (1-2, 7.50 ERA) will be given the nods for games two and three.