FSCJ Baseball Hosts Top Teams at Inaugural Invitational

Florida State College at Jacksonville partnered with St. Johns River State College to host the 1st Annual Northeast Florida D2 JUCO Invitational this past weekend, bringing six top teams from around the nation to the Jacksonville-area to kick off their Spring seasons.

Game 1:

The FSCJ Manta Rays secured a 2-1 victory over South Georgia State College in a closely contested matchup on Friday. Keyon Ashby started the game for FSCJ, recording 12 outs while allowing four hits and one run over four innings. He struck out two batters and walked two, earning the win. The Manta Rays took an early lead in the first inning, with Pedro Morales driving in the opening run with a single. Ashby's strong performance was complemented by Ethan Yesensky, who collected the save. Degrande took the loss for South Georgia State College, pitching three innings, surrendering two runs on four hits, striking out three, and walking one.

Morales and Deven Gonzalez played key roles in the lineup, each collecting two hits while hitting back-to-back. Both contributed to the scoring, each driving in a run. The Manta Rays demonstrated defensive prowess, not committing a single error throughout the game.

Game 2:

FSCJ Manta Rays made a strong effort to rally from a four-run deficit in the fifth inning but fell short, losing 5-4 to Central Alabama Community College at FSCJ North Campus. Despite narrowing the gap with a triple and two singles, FSCJ was unable to complete the comeback. Although they out-hit Central Alabama Community College eight to six, they still suffered a tough loss. Billy Girgis led the Manta Rays with three hits.

Central Alabama took the lead in the third inning when Hammonds doubled to center field, followed by a single from Ward, each bringing in a run. FSCJ responded in the bottom of the fifth, tying the game thanks to a triple from Isaac Newman, a single from Girgis, and another single from Pedro Morales. However, Ward's double in the top of the seventh gave Central Alabama the final 5-4 lead.

Derek Carson took the loss for FSCJ, pitching one inning and allowing one run on two hits while striking out two without issuing any walks. Harper Osburn started the game for FSCJ, giving up three hits and two runs (one earned) over three innings, also striking out two and walking two. Gray pitched for Central Alabama, allowing seven hits and four runs (one earned) over six innings while striking out 12 and walking two.

Pedro Morales contributed offensively for FSCJ, driving in two runs and going 1-for-3. Deven Gonzalez also had a solid performance, collecting two hits in three at-bats. Despite their efforts at the plate, FSCJ was unable to overcome Central Alabama's timely hitting, resulting in a close loss.

Game 3:

FSCJ Manta Rays were unable to hold onto their lead against Heartland Community College, falling 10-5 at FSCJ North Campus despite having a four-run advantage at one point. The Manta Rays struck first in the opening inning when Pedro Morales singled, bringing in two runs. Their lead extended to 3-0 in the second inning thanks to a sacrifice fly by Alex Monile. However, Heartland Community College took control in the fifth inning, scoring three runs and taking a 6-5 lead.

Cayden Robinson started on the mound for FSCJ Manta Rays, allowing six hits and four runs over four and two-thirds innings while striking out six and walking two. Offensively, Monile, Billy Girgis, and Brooks Hicken each collected two hits for the Manta Rays. Morales and Girgis contributed significantly, each driving in two runs. Despite their early offensive success, FSCJ could not maintain their lead, ultimately falling to Heartland Community College.

Game 4:

FSCJ Manta Rays fell to Jones College in a close 9-8 game on Sunday at FSCJ North Campus, despite outhitting their opponents 11 to 10. Pedro Morales, Deven Gonzalez, Evan Rodriguez, and Billy Girgis each contributed two hits for FSCJ Manta Rays. Although the team managed to record 11 hits in this high-scoring matchup, Jones College capitalized on their opportunities with 10 hits to secure the victory.

Jones College struck first in the opening inning when TJ Dunsford doubled to center field, followed by Braden Smith's two-run homer to left field. They extended their lead in the second inning by adding another run on a wild pitch. Dunsford continued his strong performance by hitting a solo home run to left field in the top of the third inning. FSCJ Manta Rays responded in the bottom of the fourth, cutting the deficit to 6-5 after Gonzalez hit a solo homer to left field and Rodriguez followed with a two-run shot to the same area.

On the mound, Gant Geiger started for FSCJ Manta Rays, allowing five hits and six runs over three innings while striking out five and walking two. Meanwhile, Jones College's Drew Lambert pitched six innings, surrendering eight hits and five runs, striking out three, and walking one.

FSCJ Manta Rays finished with 11 hits overall, with Rodriguez leading the team by driving in three runs from the number nine spot in the lineup, going 2-for-4 on the day. The team also turned one double play in the game, showcasing their defensive efforts, but ultimately, they fell short against Jones College.

FSCJ opens conference play at Lake-Sumter State College in Leesburg, Florida on Friday, February 21 at 1:00 p.m.

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