The College of Central Florida Patriots took the series against the Florida State College - Jacksonville as they defeated the Blue Wave when two pitchers combined to throw a 8-0 shutout. Nick Love (4-2) started and went 6.2 innings allowing only one hit and striking out seven to earn the win. Evan Michelson struck out two in this two-thirds innings pitched in relief. The game ended after seven innings due to the mercy rule. "Today was an opportunity to prove myself and that's all I've been focusing on. I felt very comfortable throwing all of my pitches in the zone today and trusted my defense to make the plays behind me" said Love after the game.
The game was scoreless until the fourth inning when Tre Hondras doubled down the left field line to score Kyler Hultgren. Jeslyn Whitehead singled home Miguel Useche and Hondras to give the Pats a 3-0 lead.
The Pats broke the game wide open in the seventh inning scoring five runs. Four runs scored on FSCJ wild pitches and one run scored on a Jackson Taylor sacrifice fly.
Matt Cedarburg (2 hits, SB) and Whitehead (2 hits, 2 SB) were the Pats leading hitters.
The #5 nationally ranked Patriots improved to 29-7 on the season and 7-2 in conference play. The Blue Wave fell to 5-17 and 1-10.
The Patriots return to Goodlett Field in Ocala on Wednesday, 3 p.m. to open a three game series with Seminole State College.