OCALA-- The College of Central Florida baseball team picked up its 10th consecutive victory after defeating FCSAA No. 3 State College of Florida 4-3 on Wednesday afternoon at Goodlett Field. The Patriots now improve to 10-1 on the season.

FCSAA No. 5 CF got out to a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning off a sacrifice fly from first baseman Nolan Machibroda, scoring freshman right fielder James Nix. In the third inning, the Manatees struck back with a sacrifice fly of its own to tie it up.

A pitching duel ensued for the following two innings, until pinch hitter Tristan Rodriguez delivered a two-run homer over the right field wall in the bottom of the sixth to give the Patriots a 3-1 lead.

SCF's Bryce Hulett countered with a two RBI double to left to even the score for the second time in the ball game.

A hit-by-pitch and a single to left by Zach West put two on with one out in the bottom of the eighth for the Patriots. Freshman shortstop Oliver Regalado stepped to the plate and delivered the game-winning sac fly to secure the win for CF.

Sophomore left-handed pitcher Brenden Kudlinski came in relief, stifling the Manatee offense, not allowing a run on two hits in the eighth and ninth innings to shut the door on SCF and pick up his first win of the season.

Rodriguez finished the day 1-for-1 with two RBI, while Nix went 3-for-4 with a run scored from the leadoff position. Nix currently ranks Top 10 in the FCSAA with a .410 batting average.

CF will be back in action on Saturday when it hosts University of Tampa JV for a doubleheader starting at Noon.