OCALA--The College of Central Florida baseball team bounced back from an 0-2 start in conference play to defeat Daytona State College 8-5 on Saturday afternoon at Goodlett Field.

CF got out to an early 6-0 lead in the first inning. A pair of hit batters and walks, and a pass ball put CF up 2-0. Then, Blake Marabell delivered a two-out, two RBI double to center and Ricardo Jimenez followed with an RBI single to left field before the Falcons got out of the inning.

Jimenez drove in his second run of the day in the bottom of the third to put CF up 7-1, but Daytona would attempt a rally, plating five unanswered runs in the fourth and fifth innings to cut the Patriots' lead to two (7-5).

Nate Pearson would silence the Daytona offense with a solo blast over the left field wall to put CF up 8-5 for good.

Jackson Stoeckinger (2-0) made his second start of the season, giving the Patriots three, scoreless innings of work, scattering three hits and striking out four before giving way to a group of Patriot relievers. Sophomore Richie Cruz gave CF an inning of scoreless relief in the ninth, not allowing a hit and striking out two to record his third save of the year.  

At the plate, Marabell and Jimenez each went 2-for-4 with two RBI to lead CF.

CF's next series gets underway on Monday against Seminole State College. The Patriots will travel to Sanford on Monday before hosting the Raiders for game two of the series on Wednesday. First pitch is set for 3 p.m.