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Highlands Today

Panthers Pick Up First Win

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Highlands Today staff report

Published: February 2, 2008

AVON PARK — Chaz Abeln was called on two days earlier than scheduled, but the Sebring graduate threw 5 2/3 strong innings on Thursday night to lead the South Florida Community College baseball team to its first victory of the season, an 11-8 win over Polk Community College.

The Panthers (1-4) led 10-2 at one point behind stellar offensive performances by infielder Brien Coppola, who went 3 for 5 with a home run and double, and catcher Peter Hernandez, who was 3 for 4 with a triple and double in his first action of the season. Infielder Brandon Decker also continued his offensive tear with a 2-for-4 performance at the plate.

"It's nice to get our first win," said SFCC coach Rick Hitt. "I'm happy for the guys, because they've been putting in a lot of time.

"We had a long conversation after the Central game (a 10-2 loss), and the guys really came out prepared and set the tone offensively."

Abeln walked four and kept the Polk bats at bay until he reached his pitch limit in the sixth.

"We'd like to see his command be a little better early, but he really battled for us," Hitt said. "He kept us in he ballgame."

Polk rallied to bring the game to 10-8 in the eighth, but Coppola sent a towering solo shot over the fence to take the wind out of Polk's sails.

"That was a huge turning point, considering they'd rallied back for six runs," Hitt said. "It really took all the momentum out of their dugout."

The Panthers walked nine on the night and were again plagued by errors in the middle innings, something Hitt said will need to cease as the season goes on.

"We still need to get guys relaxed out there," he said. "We made some pretty disturbing errors that should've been routine plays.

"But we're feeling our way through, and we know that our postseason hopes aren't decided in our first five games."

The Panthers travel west today to take on University of Tampa in a doubleheader. First pitch is set for 1 p.m.

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