College of Central Florida starting pitcher, James Hill (2-0) gave up a single and a home run to the first two batters of the game, but settled down to not allow another hit over the next 5.2 innings as the Patriots won their home opener over the South Florida State College Panthers 6-5. 

Central Florida (5-0) responded to the Panthers early runs by scoring three times in the bottom of the first when John Marant doubled home Bradke Lohry and Carson Bayne and Edwin Toribio singled home Marant to give the Pats a 3-2 lead.

After the early runs by both teams each starting pitcher settled down and dominated until the seventh inning. Panthers' (2-4) starting pitcher, Logan Adams tossed six innings, allowing three earned runs and striking out four batters, but found trouble in the seventh when Juan Correa doubled and Kareh Valentin singled to start the inning and chase Adams. Lohry then greeted SFSC relief pitcher Baker Tygart with a three-run home run. Lohry's first home run of the season.

Two hits, two errors and a hit batter got the Panthers within one run again in the eighth inning at 6-5, but Isaac Sewell came in to close out the game in the ninth inning striking out three batters and earning his second save of the season.

The College of Central Florida is currently ranked 1st in the NJCAA Region 8 Coaches' Poll and #4 in the NJCAA Preseason National rankings. The Pats will host Eastern Florida State College on Saturday, February 4th, 1:00 PM start time.