The Pioneers got off to an early lead scoring four runs in the first inning off Patriot starter James Hill. The Patriot offense got runners on early in the game, however they were unable to get any runs across. Both Gunnett Carlson (2-4, 2 RBI, HR) and Kareh Valentin (2-5, 2B) had multiple hits. Carlson hit his 12th home run of the season. Indian River starter Angelo Smith had a quality start, throwing five innings and striking out seven Patriots. Issaac Sewell, Fulton Lockhart, and Cortland Clarke all threw shutout innings in relief for the Pats. 

The Patriots fall to 17-14 in Citrus Conference play and are tied for the fifth spot with Sante Fe and one game back from Miami Dade and Polk. They needed a win or an Eastern Florida loss on today to clinch a spot in the postseason. Unfortunately neither of those happened, so the Pats will look to clinch on Saturday when they travel to Indian River to play a doubleheader. First pitch of game one will be at 1 pm.