By: Pat Clines
Bradenton, Fla - Sophomore Kevin Karstetter's walk-off hit paved the way for the RV SCF baseball team (8-3) as they continued to take care of their home field at Robert C. Wynn Field after defeating Warner University JV 12-2 in eight innings via mercy rule.
"It was a real hard fought game for the guys," said head coach Tim Hill II. "They played really well on our home field, as they should, and took care of business."
"It was a good game, despite the delay," said Karstetter. "We reeled it back in and the guys came back ready to go with a lot of energy and that's all you could control."
"We came in ready to go, even with an iffy start, but wrapped it up nicely and came to play for the win," said freshman Jeremy Weaver.
"I think we had a good win today overall," said sophomore Nick Romagnola. "We went up there with good approaches, which is the goal every game, and saw some good pitches while taking advantage of Warner's mistakes and came out on top."
"We came out and played as a team, which is all we could ask for," said sophomore Mario Lopez Jr.. "We got a lot of great guys here and they have provided a lot to the table, especially for the returners."
The game was originally scheduled to start at 6 pm, however, due to partial issues with travel, the game started at 7 pm.
Hill sent Weaver to the mound while Warner head coach David Moskovits sent junior Bryson Mistretta to counter.
The Royals would get on the board at the top of the first after freshman Kody Flynt drew a walk and scored on a passed ball, but Weaver would get out of the first with two strikeouts. In the next inning, freshman Jose Ramirez would send a home run to left to make it 2-0 Warner.
In the bottom of the second, the Manatees started to wake up and take the lead. After a two-out walk by freshman Jayce Blalock and a single by sophomore Liam Moreno, freshman Erick Almonte would reach on fielding error by the second baseman while Blalock scored. Moreno would then scored on another fielding error while sophomore Brayden Woodburn reached on a fielding error before Karstetter drew a walk to load the bases for classmate Austin Dearing. On a 1-0 count, Dearing would reach on a third fielding error while Almonte and Woodburn scored to make it 4-2 SCF.
The Manatees would add to their lead as sophomore Preston Wetherell would score on a wild pitch after hitting a single, stole second and advanced to third on a throwing error by the pitcher in the bottom of the third.
Despite giving up a single, Weaver remained calm, cooled and collected on the mound as the Winter Haven native would strikeout three to end the top half
In the bottom of the fourth, Dearing would send a single to center and bring in Almonte to make it 6-2 SCF.
At the top of the fifth, Hill II would make a pitching change and send sophomore Nick Romagnola to the mound. Despite putting two runners on, the Hillsborough transfer and Bradenton native would get out of the inning.
In the bottom of the fifth, Almonte would bring in Wetherell on a groundout to make it 7-2 SCF. Two innings later, Karstetter would show off his power as he did in the game in Panama Beach as the Pennsylvanian sent a two-run blast to left to bring in himself and sophomore Liam Moreno for his third of the season. Karstetter was not the only one to show power as sophomore Mario Lopez Jr. added a two-run blast for his first of the season while bringing in Wetherell.
"When I was at eh plate, I knew we had a chance to end the game," said Lopez Jr on hitting the home run. "I just tried to size more middle away in the at-bat and then he threw a fastball down the middle and I was able to seize the opportunity and hit it out of the yard."
In the bottom of the eighth, the Manatees decided to end the game as Karstetter on an 0-1 count would send a single to center to bring in Almonte for the walk-off win.
"Anytime you get runners in scoring position, you have to get them in," said Karstetter getting the walk-off hit. "As an older guy, you should drive in runs and that's what I wanted to go and I got the job done, which was nice."
Weaver would end up getting his first collegiate win after giving up two runs (one earned) on three hits with two walks and eight strikeouts.
"The main goals is just get strikes," said Weaver. "I was trying to get my fastball and curveball working and it prevailed altogether.
Mistretta would get the loss after giving up four unearned runs on two hits with four walks in two innings.
Romagnola would throw three scoreless innings of relief with one walk and three strikeouts, while sophomore Evan Mastromauro threw one scoreless inning with one strikeout.
"I know the biggest thing for me is getting ahead in the count early and that's always my mindset," said Romagnola. "I settled in after the first two innings and it worked out and that felt great."
Three Manatees had a multi-hit game. Karstetter and Moreno were 3-for-5 each. Karstetter had the home run, three RBI, one run, one walk and one stolen base, while Moreno had three runs.
Wetherell was 2-for-4 with a walk, three runs and a stolen base, while Lopez Jr. was 1-for-4 with the two-run home run.
Dearing (1-for-3, one RBI, two walks and one stolen base), Sanchez (1-for-5), Almonte (1-for-5, one RBI, two runs and one walk), Woodburn (one run, one stolen base and two walks) and Blalock (one run and two walks) also contributed.
Ramirez lead the way for the Royals as he went 2-for-3 with a home run.
Notes:
Karstetter was named the NJCAA Region 8 Player of the Week after his outing in Panama City Beach.
"I just wanted to win and getting this award was nice," said Karstetter on winning the accolade. "Winners get treated different at the end of the day and while the personal accolade was nice, you got to perform as a team and get the win."
"Kevin had a really good week and I wasn't surprised that he earned it," said Hill II on Karstetter's accolade. "It's a huge honor after being the second Manatee to get a weekly award early in the season."
*side note: Freshman Michael Forrett was named the NJCAA Region 8 Pitcher of the Week last week after his no-hitter against Northwest Florida State (January 27).
Hill II also made a bump up on his coaching record as he earned his 350th win as head coach for the Manatees.
"It feels like I'm getting older and after a few years with the team now, it feels amazing," laughed Hill II on the milestone. "
Other Suncoast Scores:
Hillsborough (3-6) fell to #4 College of Central Florida (8-0) 13-6. The Hawks will face Eastern Florida State (3-5) Saturday afternoon, February 11 at 1 pm.
Polk State (4-5) defeated South Florida State (3-7) 4-1. The Eagles will face Lake Sumter State (2-5) Friday afternoon, February 10 at 1 pm.
St. Pete College (0-6) fell to Pasco-Hernando State (5-3) 8-0. The Titans will face Seminole State College (3-5) Friday afternoon, February 10 at 1 pm.
Suncoast Standings:
1. RV SCF (8-3)
2. Polk State (4-5)
3. Hillsborough (3-6)
4. St. Pete (0-6)
Up Next:
The Manatees will wrap up their three-game homestead at Wynn Field as they welcome Indian River State (5-2) Thursday night, February 9 at 5 pm. Sophomore Cameron Clines (1-0, 1.80 ERA) will be given the nod to start the game.