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Highlands Today

Panthers Open Season With Win

Chris Hoffman/Highlands Today

South Florida Community College's Greg Smith scores in the third inning of Saturday's home-opener against Palm Beach CC at Panther Field.

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By CHRIS HOFFMAN Highlands Today

Published: February 2, 2009

AVON PARK - Ryan Williams kicked off the regular season with a bang by going 3 for 4 with a double and an RBI in helping to lift South Florida Community College to a 10-3 win over Palm Beach in Saturday's home and regular-season opener for the Panthers.

SFCC's Austin Gaines, who went 1 for 5 to duplicate his '08 regular season opening performance against St. Petersburg, gave high praise to Williams after his team's offense came alive in front of the home fans.

"Ryan is the man," Gaines laughed. "And you can quote me on that."

The Panthers broke open a close game with a seven-run third inning that featured the new-look offense of SFCC that will depend on, which is solid hitting and timely base running over the home run.

With the bases loaded, Palm Beach misplayed a Ryan Osenton grounder and a walk by Tom Sicking scored a pair of runs, followed by a fielder's choice that scored Osenton.

A drag bunt by freshman Ethan Lovell was laid down perfectly and scored Sicking. Gaines drove home a run on a fielder's choice and Williams hit a single up the middle and the Panthers ended the inning with a commanding 9-1 lead and Palm Beach never recovered.

Sicking finished the game going 2 for 3 with a triple, stolen base and an RBI in the win.

SFCC head coach Rick Hitt was impressed by his teams play but reiterated his philosophy to his squad.

"I'm happy for our guys to come out and get this win to start the season off right," said Hitt. "They came out strong out of the gate and were really enthusiastic after being rained out yesterday against Lake Sumter."

"But this is just one game. As I always say, this is a marathon and not a sprint. The key is to get the guys to play the next 53 games with the same level of intensity."

SFCC hurler's Chaz Abeln and Cameron Nelson looked sharp on the mound, as they held Palm Beach to just five hits for the game.

Abeln's control was really solid in his first live action of the spring and he seemed enthusiastic about the team and his own development as a pitcher.

"I'm really happy we were able to come out and get the "W"," said Abeln. "I was really pumped up today, since this was our first game of the season. I felt good on the mound and my fastball was there for me and control never seemed to be an issue. It's nice to get this first game and a win and now we can settle into a routine."

Gaines was happy to see Abeln kick off the season on a high note.

"Chaz threw really well today," Gaines said. "We, as a team, really take our cues from our pitchers. They set the tone for the game and hopefully Chaz and Cam set the tone for the season with this win."

Freshman Adam Simmons was scheduled to get the start against Central Florida Community College on Sunday.

When asked about what kind of encouragement that he tries to give a new pitcher, Gaines said that you just have to show him that he's a part of this team.

"The biggest thing we can do for Adam or any new pitcher is give him the run support so he can feel comfortable on the mound," said Gaines. "Adam should be fine. He comes prepared and is very mellow on the rubber."

Sicking, who hales from Palmetto, led off the seventh inning with a beautiful triple over the center fielder's head and scored on a fielder's choice moments later for the margin of victory.

The Panthers are back in action today when they host Webber International University. Game time is set for 6 p.m.

Chris Hoffman can be reached at 863-386-5837 or choffman@highlandstoday.com.

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