OCALA—The College of Central Florida baseball team picked up its seventh consecutive win as it defeated South Florida State College 8-3 on Friday afternoon in Avon Park, Fla.

The Patriots (7-1) struck first in the top of second, plating two runs off a RBI single from freshman designated hitter Tristan Rodriguez and a passed ball scoring Rodriguez.

CF added an additional run in the fourth inning, before breaking the score open with three runs in the fifth inning to move ahead 6-1. With one on and two out, sophomore first baseman Nolan Machibroda connected with a RBI double to left. Freshman left fielder Christian Rivera followed with a RBI single to center and freshman Carlos Salaverria capped off the three-run inning with a RBI double to left field.

The Patriots would go on to plate insurance runs in the seventh and eighth inning, including a solo homer from freshman Myles Colangelo in the eighth, to complete the Panther rout.

Salaverria finished the day 3-for-5 at the plate with a RBI and two runs scored, while Machibroda (1-for-5) drove in two runs. Machibroda currently ranks top 10 in the state in total RBIs.

CF got a solid outing from its quartet of pitchers(Codie Lunday, Ryan Velasquez, Jeremy Goins, Miguel Alba), holding South Florida to five total hits and striking out eight. Sophomore right-hander Velasquez came in relief for starter Lunday, throwing three scoreless innings, not allowing a hit and struck out three to pick up his first win as a Patriot.

The Patriots will be back at home tomorrow when it hosts Eastern Florida State College at 1 p.m.