Baseball team cruises to win in season opener

The Eastern Florida State College baseball team rolled to an easy win in the season opener at the SCF Legends Classic in Bradenton on Friday afternoon.

The Titans won the season opener against St. Johns River State College 14-3.

Eastern Florida State College got things started in the top of the first inning as Kevin Smith walked and scored on a sacrifice fly by Ryan Cerrone. St. Johns River tied the game 1-1 in the bottom of the third inning, but the lead was short lived as the Titans erupted for five runs in the fourth inning.

 Gustavo Mendez hit a single, Cerrone walked and Bo Tabola singled to load the bases. Bryce Jackson singled to drive in Mendez and then Tabola, Jackson, Jason Mack and Jamel Vera would all score in the inning.

Up 6-1, the Titans would score a run in the sixth, two more in the seventh and scored five times in the ninth for the win.

Starting pitcher Owen Simmons tossed four solid innings, allowing one run on one hit and struck out four in the win.

Mendez finished with three hits, driving in two runs and scored twice while Jackson had two hits as everyone in the lineup had a hit in the game. Smith stole three bases as the Titans scored 14 runs on 12 hits.

Eastern Florida State College will be back in action Saturday for two games. The Titans will play Pasco-Hernando State College at 2:30 p.m. and then wrap up the weekend at 6:30 p.m. against Miami Dade College.