The 6th seeded Patriots bats were hot and so was starting pitcher Jay Jung as CF took game one of the Ft. Pierce FCSAA regional 13-4 over 3rd seeded Indian River State College. Jung threw a complete game allowing only four runs, five hits, and struck out five to improve to 5-2 on the season. This was the second time in eight days that Jung had beaten the Citrus Conference runner-up, Pioneers. Jung was also announced earlier in the day as a second team All-Citrus Conference pitcher.
Dawson Harman showed why he was awarded the Citrus Conference Player of the year when he collected four hits including a double and his CF school record tying 22nd home run of the season. Harman also had three RBI and scored three runs. Citrus Conference first team designated hitter, Victor Martinez hit his tenth home run of the season and Logan Chapman (3 RBI, 3R) connected on this third home run. Anthony Diaz, Miles Curley, and Tanner Swank each collected three hits in the game. The Pats ended the game with 19 hits and out scored the Pioneers 9-0 over the final four innings.
The win puts CF in the drivers seat of the Ft. Pierce regional, but they are well aware how tough it is to win on the road in the FCSAA playoffs. "Getting the win in game one was huge, but we know we still have some unfinished business to take care of." Said CF Assistant Coach, Tony Voiro. Game two is Saturday, 1:00 PM.
With the win CF improves to 35-16 and is one win away from earning a spot in the FCSAA Region 8 Final Four in Port Charlotte next weekend. IRSC drops to 34-15.
Regional Scores
Niceville Regional: (5) SCF-Manatee 12, (4) NW Florida 9
Ft. Myers Regional: (8) Pensacola State 12, (1) Florida SouthWestern 6
Panama City Regional: (7) Miami-Dade 5, (2) Gulf Coast State 3