Manta Rays Stumble Late in Series with Pasco-Hernando

Game 1: Pasco 9 - FSCJ 0

The FSCJ Manta Rays struggled to keep up with Pasco-Hernando State College, suffering a 9-0 loss on Friday at FSCJ North Campus. Pasco-Hernando got on the board early in the first inning after Durfee singled down the left field line, Lopez walked, and Jordan also walked. A costly error by FSCJ allowed each of them to score, putting three runs on the board. Pasco-Hernando added another run in the second inning.

For FSCJ, Gavan Bradley pitched five and two-thirds innings in relief, giving up four hits and one run, while striking out four and walking three. Gant Geiger started the game for FSCJ but only lasted one-third of an inning, surrendering two hits and four runs (three earned), while striking out one and walking two. On the other side, Savarese started for Pasco-Hernando and turned in an impressive performance, allowing just one hit and no runs over seven innings, striking out nine and walking none.

Offensively, Alex Monile led the FSCJ Manta Rays with a 1-for-3 performance at the plate. Pasco-Hernando collected a total of 10 hits in the game. As a team, Pasco-Hernando was aggressive on the base paths, racking up four stolen bases.

Game 2: Pasco 5 - FSCJ 3

The FSCJ Manta Rays fell short once again to Pasco-Hernando State College, losing 5-3 on Saturday at FSCJ North Campus. Pasco-Hernando struck early, with Cruz blasting a two-run homer to right field in the first inning. Thompson added to the lead with an RBI single in the top of the third, making it 3-0. However, FSCJ responded in the bottom half of the inning, tying the game at 3-3 thanks to a double by Billy Girgis and a single by Nolan Hartsell. The tie didn't last long, as Lopez delivered an RBI single in the top of the fifth to reclaim the lead for Pasco-Hernando, 4-3.

On the mound, Ethan Carroll pitched three and one-third innings in relief for FSCJ, allowing two hits and one run while striking out two and walking three. Xavier Glover started the game for the Manta Rays, giving up three hits and three runs over two innings with two strikeouts and three walks. For Pasco-Hernando, Fisher started and threw three innings, surrendering four hits and three runs while striking out four and walking two.

Offensively, Girgis led the Manta Rays with two RBIs and went 1-for-3. Hartsell, Alex Monile, Logan Disbrow, Girgis, and Cobe Evans each recorded a hit for the Manta Rays.

Game 3: Pasco 4 - FSCJ 3

The FSCJ Manta Rays fought hard but ultimately fell 4-3 to Pasco-Hernando State College in a close game on Saturday at FSCJ North Campus. The game was tied at three in the top of the eighth inning when Castillo hit a sacrifice fly, scoring the go-ahead run for Pasco-Hernando. Pasco-Hernando had jumped out to an early lead in the top of the first inning after Jordan was hit by a pitch, driving in a run, followed by a two-run single from Habuda.

FSCJ responded in the bottom of the fourth with a solo home run to left field by Nolan Hartsell. The Manta Rays tied the game in the bottom of the fifth thanks to a solo shot to right field by Isaac Newman and an RBI single by Hartsell.

Keegan Roach started on the mound for FSCJ, giving up five hits and three runs—all unearned—over four innings, while striking out three and walking one. Zassenbraker got the start for Pasco-Hernando, allowing three hits and three runs over four innings with three strikeouts and three walks. Hartsell and Newman both recorded two hits for FSCJ, with Hartsell driving in two runs and finishing 2-for-4 on the day.

The Manta Rays are back on Tuesday to face Santa Fe. First pitch is at 2:00PM at Howard Roey Field on FSCJ's North Campus.