Pioneers Suffer First Home Loss Against TNXL

FORT PIERCE, FL - Indian River State College fell to TNXL Academy 8-5 on Friday, February 7 at home, marking the Pioneers' first home loss of the season and dropping their record to 8-2. Despite outhitting the Ducks, the Pioneers fell victim to the long ball on two separate occasions, which ultimately shifted the game's momentum.

TNXL came out swinging, scoring two runs in the top of the first inning, but the Pioneers answered back with one of their own in the bottom half. The score remained deadlocked until the bottom of the fifth when sophomore Brett Patten singled to tie the game at 2-2. However, after loading the bases with two outs, the Ducks capitalized with a grand slam, putting the game out of reach for the Pioneers. TNXL later added two more runs in the top of the ninth.

Every Pioneer in the lineup recorded a hit, led by Maikol Lucena, Sean Duffin, and Jason Lashley, who each had two. Six different Pioneers took the mound on Friday, with Shane Lavin and Sammy Beir combining to throw three innings of scoreless relief, striking out three while allowing just one baserunner.

The Pioneers will open Citrus Conference action this Thursday, February 13 at Daytona State. Indian River enters conference play as the defending Citrus Conference champions and the No. 4 ranked team in the Florida JUCO Coaches Poll.

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