FSCJ and Lake-Sumter battled this weekend in the opening series of SunLakes Conference play. Friday's game was hosted by the Blue Wave while Saturday's doubleheader was played at LSSC. FSCJ won the first two matchups to take the series, while the LakeHawks salvaged game three. This was the first weekend of 10 SLC conference series.

FSCJ 8, Lake-Sumter 3

JACKSONVILLE, FLA. - In the debut game of SLC play, an early back-and-forth affair turned into a big win for the home team. LSSC took a 1-0 lead on some two-out action in the first inning, before FSCJ responded with one of their own in the first on a Matt Retamoza RBI single to tie the game. This score held until the fourth inning, when FSCJ posted a four-spot on a pair of two-RBI hits by Xavier Cintron and Sam Gordon to gain a 5-1 advantage. Lake-Sumter would answer for one in the fifth before the Blue Wave tacked on two more on RBI singles by Kobe Wiggins and Cintron for a 7-2 lead. Blake Wood added an RBI single in the eighth for the Wave's final run. Dylan Peck started and threw two innings for FSCJ before leaving with an injury. Brady Ellison (1-0) came in relief to pitch and went 4.1 innings, allowing just 1 run on 3 hits and striking out 6. Dylan Cope and Noah Wood pitched the final 2.2 innings, allowing just one run in total. Cintron, Retamoza, and Gordon all had multi-hit games.

FSCJ 6, Lake-Sumter 5

LEESBURG, FLA. - Lead changes galore happened in the first game of Saturday's doubleheader, with the LakeHawks taking an early 4-0 lead after two innings. FSCJ would respond with four runs of their own in the third on a grand slam home run by Josh Green, his first career homer. LSSC once again took a lead, this time 5-4 in the fourth. After a LSSC error tied the game 5-5 in the fifth, another Josh Green RBI hit would give FSCJ the lead for good at 6-5 in the sixth. Xavier Cintron had multiple hits along with Green. Green recorded all five RBI for FSCJ. Jaden Paradoa started for the Wave, allowing three runs in one inning. Jayden Long (2-1) was great in long relief, going 4.1 innings, allowing two runs on three hits and striking out three. Dylan Cope recorded his first career save, going the final 1.2 innings scoreless.

Lake-Sumter 2, FSCJ 1

LEESBURG, FLA. - The finale of the series was the pitcher's dual to say the least. A game that saw two left-handed pitchers at their best, the score was 1-0 in favor of Lake-Sumter when both starters were pulled after the sixth inning. LSSC would tack on another in the seventh for a 2-0 lead before a Blake Wood RBI groundout made it a 2-1 game, but that was all that could be mustered. Carson Womer had a multi-hit game for the Wave. Colby Lipovsky (0-2) was the tough luck loser of the dual, going 6 innings, allowing two runs on four hits while striking out seven. Andrew Veniard and Dylan Dudones threw the final two innings.

What's Next?

FSCJ begins a five game week on Monday with Santa Fe College at home at 2:00 PM. All home games are played at Howard Roey Field on the north campus of FSCJ.