SFCC splits series, loses first game of season

The SFCC baseball team pounded out at least 10 hits for the sixth straight game Saturday, but the Panthers left 12 runners on base to split a doubleheader and lose their first game of the season, 7-5, to Santa Fe College.

"We have a long way to go and a great deal to improve upon, mostly our consistency in all phases," SFCC coach Rick Hitt said. "It has been a good start thus far, but there's a lot of work to do."

After Friday's game against Central Florida CC was postponed due to rain, the Panthers (5-1) rallied for a 10-9 victory over Santa Fe College in Saturday's opener. Right-hander Adam Simmons, who has committed to play for Florida State next season, pitched well the first two innings before experiencing trouble with his command.

Trailing 9-6 in the sixth inning, SFCC scored four runs to surge ahead. Corey Topa, who picked up the win after throwing 1 2/3 innings of relief, and Blake Holliday, who got the save after tossing two scoreless innings, steadied an otherwise shaky outing from the pitching staff.

Ethan Lovell went 4-for-5 with three runs scored, Taed Moses added three hits and Chris Torres belted a three-run homer to pace the Panthers offense, which rapped out double-digit hits.

"In this game we made every one count," Hitt said, "and we had several hits with runners in scoring position."

That wasn't the case in the second game, when the Panthers stranded 12 runners, including seven who were in scoring position with less than two outs.

"Our average with runners in scoring position the first five games was outstanding," Hitt said. "But in Game 6, we were not as efficient and, consequently, that is our first loss."

Five SFCC players had two hits in the second game of the doubleheader: Tom Sicking (2-for-4, two runs scored); Brett Clements (2-for-4, including a double); Torres (2-for-3); Lovell (2-for-3, including a double); and Moses (2-for-4).

SFCC played its second home game of the season Monday against Webber International University's B squad. The Panthers will then travel to play Seminole State College at 2 p.m. Friday.