Late Rally Leads FSCJ to Walk-Off Win

JACKSONVILLE, FLA. - Some late game magic at Howard Roey Field led to a walk-off victory for the FSCJ Blue Wave on Saturday afternoon against South Florida State College. FSCJ scored 4 runs in the bottom of the 7th inning to take the 5-4 victory. The win takes the Blue Wave to a 9-7 record, surpassing last year's win total. 

Facing a 4-1 deficit with three outs to play, FSCJ managed to rally across four runs to take the win from the visiting Panthers. Four walks to Blue Wave batters along with two singles and a fielders choice produced the runs. Jack Gidcumb led off the inning as a pinch-hitter before collecting a walk. Jayme Villafane then grounded into a fielder's choice to force Gidcumb out at second base. Cam Wademan singled home Villafane to bring the score to 4-2. Blake Wood and Barry Eiseman followed with walks to load the bases for Evan Wickeri. After fouling off six pitches in a row, Wickeri won the battle to tie the game with a bases loaded two-run single that scored Wademan and Wood. Garrett Chun walked to re-load the bases before Hunter Bradshaw forced the SFSC defense into a fielding error on a fielder's choice that scored Luka Torralva, who pinch ran for Eiseman, the game winner from third base to finish with a 5-4 score. The first run for the Wave scored in the bottom of the 5th on a Blake Wood RBI groundout to cut the South Florida lead to 3-1 after a 1st inning homer had put the Panthers ahead. Brian Veniard started for the Blue Wave and went six strong innings, allowing two earned runs on four hits and striking out three. Manny Reyes was the pitcher of record, taking his season record to 1-1, as he pitched the top of the 7th inning, allowing one run. Wademan and Eiseman contributed multi-hit games, as well. 

FSCJ looks to keep the momentum on Saturday, as they play host to USC-Sumter in a noon doubleheader at Howard Roey Field.