Panthers' Power Shows In Sweep

AVON PARK - Chaz Abeln showed Panther fans just what kind of stuff he had in his arsenal on Friday.

The Sebring graduate hurled seven innings and struck out nine to lead the South Florida Community College baseball team to an 8-1 victory in the second game of a doubleheader against Community College of Baltimore-Dundalk.

"This is the best Chaz has pitched all season," said SFCC head coach Rick Hitt. "He looked sharp for most of the game and had good command. I think he can look at this game as a positive step."

The Panthers broke loose with an eight-run second inning to give Abeln, a freshman, a cushion to work with to secure the sweep.

SFCC pounced on the visitors from Baltimore in the first game, crushing five home runs in to romp to a 13-2 victory.

Sophomore Jeff Bloomer got the win and Brandon Decker, Lake Placid's Steven Levine, Austin Gaines, Brien Coppola and Gerry Neufang all hit home runs for the Panthers, while Coppola and Neufang also went yard in the second game.

"We hit seven home runs tonight which was good," Hitt said. "But the weather conditions supported a few of our swings. We just made more plays than (CCBC) did tonight and just outplayed them, but it wasn't what I would call perfect games.

"I'm happy for our guys in getting the wins, but we just weren't sharp enough in some areas, and we're going to have to get better."

The Panthers had a doubleheader against the University of Tampa on Saturday. For results, see Monday's Highlands Today.

They return to action on Monday, when they host another Baltimore squad - Cantonsville CC - at 6 p.m. at Panther Field.