The College of Central Florida Patriots opened up their 2022 season at the Ed Davis Kickoff Classic in Auburndale, Florida with a game against perennial national powerhouse Chipola College Indians. The Indians lived up to their reputation by overpowering the Pats with six home runs in their 14-6 win.
The Indians home run barrage started in the third inning when Zac Rice and Tucker Flint hit back-to-back homeruns off of CF starter Parker Seay. Both Rice and Flint would finish the game with two HRs each. Also adding home runs for the Indians were Jake Holland with a sixth inning grand slam and Cam Collier with a seventh inning solo shot.
The Pats showed some pop of their own when Carson Bayne connected for a two-run home run for his first collegiate hit. Caleb Cali then hit a towering two-run bomb in the seventh inning to make the final score 14-6.
In the second game of the opening day double header the Patriots played the Pensacola State College Pirates. The Pirates jumped all over Patriots starter, Connor Godwin for five runs in each of the first two innings to build up a quick 10-0 lead. Pensacola only scored two additional runs as Patriot pitchers Mason Ronan, Aaron Combs and Ty Moody combined for six strikeouts over the final four innings. The final score was 12-3. The Patriots were led offensively by Bayne with his second home run of the day, a three-run shot to deep left centerfield.
The Patriots (1-2) dusted themselves off from a tough opening day and rebounded with a resounding 16-7 win over #20 Nationally ranked Dyersburg State Community College (0-3) from Tennessee. CF scored ten runs in the bottom fifth inning to overcome a 5-3 deficit. The Patriots took the lead for good when Carson Bayne singled home Victor Castillo and Caleb Cali. Jared Evans' line drive single scored Kevin Kilpatrick and Bayne to increase the lead to 8-5. After a Edrick Felix bases loaded hit by a pitch, Castillo connected for a grand slam to deep right field. Castillo finished the day 3 for 5, 4 RBI, double, and a HR. Landon Ginn was another offensive player of the game by going 3 for 3, 4 RBI, and hit his first home run.
Ben Chestnutt (1-0) got the win in relief as he threw 2.2 innings allowing only one run and striking out six.
The Patriots play their home opener this Monday, January 31st, 2:30 PM against the Hillsborough Community College Hawks.