NEW PORT RICHEY, FLA. - FSCJ took the trip across the state this weekend for a three-game SunLakes Conference contest with Pasco-Hernando State College. This was the first of two meetings between the schools in SLC play in 2023, with PHSC returning the trip to Jacksonville in April. Pasco took all three games from the Blue Wave.

PHSC 1, FSCJ 0

A pitcher's dual broke out in the debut game of the series, with a 0-0 score going into the bottom of the 7th inning. Neither team had much going on offense all game, but both teams had stranded the bases loaded. PHSC was able to scratch across an unearned run in the 7th for a 1-0 lead that would hold up. FSCJ freshman lefty Brady Ellison (1-1) had his best game on the mound yet, going 6.1 innings and allowing the 1 run (0 earned) on 2 hits, 2 walks, and 7 strikeouts. Dylan Dudones closed out the game for FSCJ, pitching 1.2 innings, allowing 1 hit and 0 runs on 0 walks and striking out 4. Josh Green and Carson Womer recorded hits for the Wave.

PHSC 12, FSCJ 2

The first game of Saturday's doubleheader went the way of the home team with several crooked numbers posted. FSCJ took a brief 1-0 lead in the top of the first as Kobe Wiggins scored Sam Gordon with a sacrifice fly. PHSC responded with two in the bottom of the first before FSCJ tied it in the top of the second on a wild pitch. That would be all of the offense for the Blue Wave, and the Bobcats posted 10 runs in the next four innings on hits, errors, and walks. Xavier Cintron posted a double, while Sam Gordon, Jack Gidcumb, and Carson Womer hit safely as well. Colby Lipovsky (0-4) took the loss, throwing 3.2 innings, allowing 8 runs (5 earned) on 8 hits, 3 walks, and 3 strikeouts. Ethan Wilford (0.2 IP, 3 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 0 K) and Andrew Veniard (0.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K) saw action on the mound as well.

PHSC 13, FSCJ 8

Game 3 brought the highest scoring affair of the weekend. FSCJ scored 5 runs in the top of the first inning to jump start the game on a Josh Green RBI single, Matt Retamoza RBI walk, Dylan Greene two-RBI single, and Kobe Wiggins RBI single. Pasco would return the favor with 4 runs of their own in the first on a double and homer. After the game was tied in the second, FSCJ retook the lead at 6-5 in the third on a Sam Gordon RBI single. A three-run homer from PHSC flipped the game back in their favor 8-6 in the third. Another Gordon RBI single would bring the game to 8-7 in the fifth, but Pasco-Hernando extended their lead to 12-7 in the bottom half of the fifth. The final run for FSCJ would be plated in the sixth on a Retamoza RBI single. Pasco tacked on one more in the eighth. 8 of 9 Blue Wave starters recorded a hit, and 7 of 9 scored a run. Gordon, Green, Greene, and Wiggins had multi-hit games. Carson Womer and Blake Wood hit doubles. Jayden Long (2-3) was the pitcher of record, allowing 8 runs (7 earned) on 8 hits, 0 walks, and 1 strikeout in 2.1 innings. Dylan Dudones (1.2 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 1 K), Noah Wood (0.2 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 BB, 0 K), and Bryce Kemper (3.1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 3 K) finished out the game on the mound. 

What's Next?

FSCJ will travel to Palm Beach State College in Lake Worth for a SunLakes Conference series on Thursday and Friday.