LSCC GOES OVER .500 MARK WITH WIN AGAINST SEMINOLE
From the Daily Commercial Staff Report

Bryan Hill blasted a home run and had three RBIs, and Jacob Davis pitched six strong innings Wednesday to lead Lake-Sumter CC to an 8-5 win against Seminole State College.  The win lifted the Lakers to 13-12-1 for the season and 5-2 in the Mid-Florida Conference.

Davis (2-0) allowed four hits and did not allow an earned run.  Stephen Bellantoni went 2-4 with an RBI.  Chase Okey went 2-for-5 with a double and an RBI.  Tim Blackmon also had two hits, including a double.

Chandler Jagodzinski pitched 1 2/3 innings in relief, striking out two and allowing one hit.  Jagodzinski earned his sixth save of the season. 

LSCC hosts Seminole at 2:30 p.m. on Friday.  Dave Thomas (3-3, 5.06 ERA) will be the starting pitcher.

Mid-Florida Conference Standings (as of March 18th )

Upcoming Games
Saturday, 3/20 @ Daytona State College – 1:00 p.m.
Monday, 3/22 vs Daytona State College – 3:00 p.m.
Friday, 3/26 @ Santa Fe College – 3:00 p.m.
Saturday, 3/27 vs Santa Fe College – 1:00 p.m.

LSCC BEATS SJRCC ON MONDAY TO IMPROVE TO 4-2 IN THE MID-FLORIDA CONFERENCE

The Lakers baseball team received another strong effort from their pitching staff on Monday to upend the visiting SJRCC Vikings by a score of 6-3.  Brandon Vazquez started and pitched effectively by going six innings, allowing three runs on five hits, and striking out three hitters.  Eddie Bonilla and Chandler Jagodzinski combined to throw three scoreless innings out of the bullpen.  Jagodzinski picked up his first win of the year.

Offensively, the Lakers scored three runs in the bottom of the seventh inning on two Vikings’ errors to tie the game 3-3.  In the bottom of the eighth, the Lakers took the lead for good by scoring three more runs.  The Lakers had eight total hits in the game and were led by Kenny Hollins (2-4), Tim Blackmon (2-4), and Zac Hubbard (1-2, run scored, 2 walks).  Stephen Bellantoni, Cody Mombourquette, and Bryan Hill all contributed RBI’s to the offensive effort.

With the win, the Lakers improve to 12-12-1 overall and 4-2 in the MFC.  The Lakers return to action on Wednesday when they travel to Sanford to take on the Seminole State College Raiders.  First pitch is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. and Jake Davis (1-0, 4.15 ERA) is the expected starter.

UPCOMING GAMES
Wednesday, 3/17 - @ Seminole State College  2:30 p.m.
Friday, 3/19 – vs Seminole State College  2:30 p.m.
Saturday, 3/20 - @ Daytona State College  1:00 p.m.

LSCC WINS THREE GAMES OVER SPRING BREAK

The LSCC Lakers Baseball Team was busy over spring break, playing five games.  After starting conference play with a 2-0 record, the Lakers welcomed Central Florida CC to town last Saturday.  The CFCC Patriots beat the Lakers 8-0 behind a strong pitching effort from Matt Gendron.  With the loss, the Lakers fell to 9-11-1 and 2-1 in the MFC.

On Monday, the Lakers traveled up to Ocala to take on the Patriots once again.  The Lakers jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead after two innings of play.  However, the Patriots tied the game in the third inning and took the lead for good in the fourth and went on to win 11-7.  Offensively, the Lakers banged out 12 hits and were led by Cody Mombourquette (2-4, 3 runs scored), Chase Okey (2-4, 2B, RBI), Bryan Hill (2-5, 3 RBIs), Tim Blackmon (2-4, HR, 2 RBIs), and Josh Johnson (2-4).  On the mound, Chandler Jagodzinski was the only bright spot for the Lakers by pitching 2 1/3 innings, allowing 1 hit, 0 runs, and striking out 4 hitters.

After a four day break, the Lakers returned to Mid-Florida Conference action by traveling to Palatka to face St. John’s River CC.  Kenny Hollins and Zac Hubbard hit home runs and David Thomas pitched six strong innings to lead the Lakers to a 5-4 win.  Bryan Hill contributed offensively by going 2-for-4 with an RBI and a stolen base.  Tim Blackmon was 2-for-4 with a stolen base.  Thomas evened his record at 3-3 on the year, allowing two runs on five hits.  He also struck out five hitters.  Chandler Jagodzinski earned his fifth save on the year, allowing one earned run in three innings.  LSCC (10-12-1, 3-2 in Mid-Florida Conference) hosts the University of Tampa JV at 2 p.m. today.

On Sunday, the Lakers finished their spring break schedule by winning a 4-1 decision over the visiting University of Tampa JV.  Nic Kovacs earned his first collegiate victory by throwing a complete game.  He allowed six hits, one unearned run, and struck out four hitters.  He improves to 1-3 on the year.  Offensively, the Lakers were led by Stephen Bellantoni (2-5, stolen base), Carlos Labrador (2-3, RBI), and Kenny Hollins (2-4, RBI, 2 stolen bases).  The Lakers improve to 11-12-1 with the non-conference win.

The Lakers are back in Mid-Florida Conference play on Monday when they welcome the St. John’s River CC Vikings to town.  First pitch is scheduled for 3:00 p.m.  Brandon Vazquez (1-2, 4.43 ERA) will be the starting pitcher.

Upcoming Games
Monday, 3/15 – vs SJRCC  3:00 p.m.
Wednesday, 3/17 - @ Seminole State College  2:30 p.m.
Friday, 3/19 – vs Seminole State College  2:30 p.m.
Saturday, 3/20 - @ Daytona State College  1:00 p.m.

LAKERS WIN THE MID-FLORIDA CONFERENCE OPENER AT FLORIDA STATE COLLEGE-JACKSONVILLE
From the Daily Commercial Staff Report

David Thomas allowed only four hits and one run through seven innings Wednesday and Zach Pitts and Kenny Hollins hit home runs to lead Lake-Sumter Community College to a 10-4 win against Florida State College-Jacksonville.  Thomas struck out seven and improved his overall season record to 2-3.

Stephen Bellantoni extended his hitting streak to 18 games with a 4-for-5 performance at the plate for the Lakers, which hammered out 11 hits.  Bryan Hill went 1-for-3 with an RBI.  Josh Johnson went 2-for-5.

LSCC (8-10-1, 1-0 in Mid-Florida Conference) hosts Florida State College-Jacksonville at 3 p.m. Friday at the LSCC Baseball Complex.  Jake Davis will get the start on the mound.

LSCC SLUGFEST HALTED BY DARKNESS IN 10TH INNING
From the Daily Commercial Staff Report

Chase Okey and Jason Matusik led an 11-run, 18-hit Laker attack on Monday, but the bats of Hillsborough CC were active as well and the two schools slugged their way to an 11-11 tie when darkness halted the offensive onslaught.

LSCC (7-10-1) opened the scoring in the second inning, when Matusik blasted a long home run to give LSCC a 1-0 lead. But Hillsborough came roaring back, posting a 4-spot in the third when Kyle Copack singled up the middle to drive in two runs. A double, ground ball and a single later, the visitors had opened a three-run lead.

The Lakers continued their heavy hitting in the fifth, scoring five runs on seven hits. Third baseman Tim Blackmon doubled down the left field line and came in to score when Kenny Hollins doubled to left center. Josh Johnson singled up the middle, scoring Hollins. Zac Hubbard continued the rally with a base hit through the right side and advanced to second on the throw while Johnson took third. Shortstop Cody Mombourquette then made his only hit of the game count, with a single to center, scoring Johnson and Hubbard. Matusik plated the final run when his single to right center scored Mombourquette, giving LSCC a 6-5 lead.

Hillsborough scored four in the seventh and single runs in the eighth and ninth to account for their 11 runs. The Lakers countered with three in the eighth sandwiched between single runs in the seventh and ninth. Mother Nature took care of the rest. Seven HCC pitchers and six from LSCC took the drubbing.

The Lakers open up Mid-Florida Conference play on Wednesday when they travel to Jacksonville to take on Florida State College-Jacksonville. First pitch is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. and Dave Thomas will be the starting pitcher.