FSCJ celebrates Sophomore Day with split against Palm Beach

JACKSONVILLE, FLA. - Florida State College at Jacksonville baseball closed out the 2022 regular season at Howard Roey Field on Saturday, splitting a doubleheader with Palm Beach State College. The split finishes the FSCJ regular season record at 25-17 (6-6 Sunlakes), including a 20-10 record at Roey Field. 17 Blue Wave second and third year Sophomores were celebrated after the final home game of the year: INF Luka Torralva (Palmetto, FL / Savannah State University commit), OF Garrett Chun (Jacksonville, FL / Uncommitted), INF Jayme Villafane (Pembroke Pines, FL /  Uncommitted), OF Tyler Green (Yulee, FL / Savannah State University commit), RHP/UTL Evan Wickeri (Middleburg, FL / Barry University commit), UTL Cam Wademan (Fort Myers, FL / Uncommitted), INF Hunter Bradshaw (Jacksonville, FL / Savannah State University commit), LHP Daniel Gaviria (Orlando, FL / Francis Marion University commit), RHP Patrick Groark (Land O Lakes, FL / Barton College commit), RHP Manny Reyes (Palmetto, FL / Coker University commit), OF Barry Eiseman (Palm Harbor, FL / University of Montevallo commit), C Mason McLeod (Sumter, SC / Savannah State University commit), LHP Alex Hurwitz (Lake Mary, FL / Uncommitted), RHP JD Garner (Jacksonville, FL / Florida A&M University commit), RHP Richard King (Miami, FL / Uncommitted), RHP Brian Veniard (Jacksonville, FL / Uncommitted), OF Noah Adams (Jacksonville, FL / Oklahoma Wesleyan University commit). 

Game One - FSCJ 6, PBSC 4

Game one saw the completion of a weather-delayed game from April 2, starting with a 0-0 tie in the top of the third inning of a nine inning contest. Palm Beach was able to push across a run in the top of the fifth to take a 1-0 lead, but FSCJ responded in the bottom of the fifth by tying the game on a Luka Torralva sacrifice fly. PBSC once again grabbed the lead by plating a single run, this time in the sixth to lead 2-1. The score held there until the Blue Wave exploded for five runs in the bottom of the seventh on a Blake Wood RBI groundout, Hunter Bradshaw RBI bunt single, Cam Wademan 2-RBI single, and a wild pitch. Palm Beach would plate two more in the ninth but their rally came up short, leaving FSCJ the 6-4 victory. Dylan Dudones (2-1) earned the win on the mound, going seven strong innings, allowing just two runs on six hits, walking four and striking out four. Patrick Groark earned his seventh save of the season, collecting the last two outs of the game. Garrett Chun had the big game at the plate, going three for four. 

Game Two - PBSC 5, FSCJ 3

The second half of the doubleheader was slated to be a seven inning game, but seven was not enough as the game went nine before being decided. FSCJ took an early 2-0 lead behind a Xavier Cintron RBI groundout in the first and a Barry Eiseman RBI single in the third. Palm Beach plated three runs in the top of the fourth before FSCJ tied it in the bottom half on a Tyler Green RBI fielders choice. That score held until PBSC tallied two runs in the top of the ninth to put the game away. Daniel Gaviria started for the Wave, going a perfect three innings. Colby Lipovsky (2-6) took the tough luck loss after going 4.1 innings and allowing two runs on two hits, three walks, and four strikeouts. Eiseman provided a multi-hit game at the plate. 

What's Next?

FSCJ will travel down to Pasco-Hernando State College for the NJCAA Division II Region 8 Tournament as the two seed from the Sunlakes Conference. The tournament will be held April 28-30. It is a double elimination regional that includes #1 Pasco, #2 FSCJ, #3 Palm Beach, and #4 ASA Miami. FSCJ will open up against Palm Beach on Thursday, April 28 at 2:00 PM.