FSCJ Baseball kicked off the 2023 season this weekend with a split-series matchup against Daytona State. Friday afternoon, the Wave fell short in Daytona before taking the win at home on Saturday afternoon to earn the series split and take their record to 1-1. The weekend saw this young FSCJ team showcase a lot of new faces, as 12 players made their collegiate debuts. This was the first of two split-series faceoffs with the Falcons of DSC, the second of which coming February 17-18.
Daytona State 7, FSCJ 4
DAYTONA BEACH, FLA. - FSCJ took the short trip down I-95 to take on Daytona State for Opening Day 2023, ultimately coming up short in a 7-4 contest on a windy afternoon in Daytona Beach. The Blue Wave couldn't climb out of an early 4-0 deficit in the 1st inning, but had plenty of chances as the game went on. After DSC struck for four runs in the bottom of the 1st and another in the bottom of the 4th, FSCJ would answer with their first run of the season on a Xavier Cintron RBI single to score Connor Nelson to make the score 5-1. Daytona tacked on one run in the 5th and 6th innings to push the lead to 7-1 before the Wave cashed in on a Dylan Greene two-out double, scoring on a Falcon error to force a 7-2 score. FSCJ added two more in the top of the 9th on a Blake Wood sacrifice fly and a Nelson RBI single to carry the boys in blue within three, but that's where the score would hold final at 7-4. FSCJ stranded 12 runners on base on the day. Cintron, Greene, and Nelson all recorded multi-hit games. Greene, Nelson, and Carson Womer collected their first career hits. Freebies plagued the Blue Wave pitching staff. Dylan Dudones (0-1) took the loss on the mound, going two innings and allowing four runs on four hits and three walks. Andrew Veniard struck out five and walked three in three innings of 2-run baseball in his FSCJ debut, while Dylan Cope, Brady Ellison, and Bryce Kemper all made their initial college pitching appearances without allowing an earned run.
FSCJ 4, Daytona State 2
JACKSONVILLE, FLA. - The Saturday matinee of the split-series saw a packed crowd at Howard Roey Field cheer on the Blue Wave to victory on a sunny afternoon in North Jax. FSCJ struck for two runs in the bottom of the 1st inning and never looked back, leading the entire game en route to a 4-2 victory. Xavier Cintron, Jack Gidcumb, and Blake Wood recorded back-to-back-to-back singles to score the first run of the game, before a Kobe Wiggins fielder's choice plated the second run to put a 2-0 lead on the scoreboard after 1. FSCJ would add two more in the bottom of the third after Wiggins doubled to score Gidcumb, who also doubled, and Matt Retamoza singled up the middle to score Wiggins. Daytona answered with two of their own in the top of the 4th, and that's where the score would remain for the final 5 innings of the game. Gidcumb had a monster day at the plate, going 3/4 with two doubles, two runs scored, and a stolen base. Matt Retamoza also had a multi-hit day. Wiggins and Retamoza collected their first career hits on the day. Dylan Peck (1-0) earned the win in his first career start, going 3.2 innings, allowing two earned runs on four hits, striking out three and walking none. Noah Wood entered in relief to escape a jam and went 1.1 scoreless innings in his debut. Colby Lipovsky earned the lengthy save (1), going the final four innings, allowing no runs on one hit, striking out two and walking two.
What's Next?
FSCJ (1-1) will play host to Edward Waters University JV on Wednesday (February 1st) at 2:00 PM at Howard Roey Field.