Posted: Apr 07, 2023
By Pat Clines
Clearwater, Fla - The SCF baseball team (25-19, 11-2 Suncoast) started the second half of Suncoast Conference strong as they shutout St. Pete College (14-22, 5-8 Suncoast) 8-0 at Jack Russell Stadium.
"The game was amazing," said head coach Tim Hill II. "Michael Forret was in complete control and Cameron Clines did well on the mound after. Hitting was very consistent and our defense did not allow St. Pete to get a run on the board. Hats off to the guys for getting the job done."
Hill sent freshman Michael Forret to start game one, while SPC head coach Oscar Espada went with sophomore Matt Brown.
After the first two innings went scoreless, the Manatees would strike first on the offensive end. After a one-out single by sophomore Richie Morales and a walk drawn by freshman Erick Almonte, sophomore Kevin Karstetter would send a double to right to bring in Morales for the first run of the game. Classmate Lucas Ismaili would then groundout to bring in Almonte to make it 2-0 SCF.
One inning later, the Manatees added to their lead beginning with a leadoff single by sophomore Brayden Woodburn. After classmate Victor Sanchez hit a double, sophomore Ben Gilbert would send a double to left to bring in Woodburn and Sanchez before Morales hit a double of his own to bring in Gilbert. Karstetter would then hit his third double of the game to bring in Morales for a 6-0 lead.
At the top of the sixth, the Manatees would add their final runs. After sophomore Austin Dearing (single), Morales (walk) and Almonte (hit by a pitch) loaded the bases, Ismaili would ground into a fielder's choice and bring in Dearing before Morales scored on a fielding error to make it 8-0 SCF.
From there, the Manatees would ease through the remainder of the game as they sealed the deal for the win.
Forret would improve to 8-2 after throwing seven scoreless innings, giving up six hits with one walk and nine strikeouts. Sophomore Cameron Clines would throw two scoreless innings with three walks.
Brown would fall to 4-5 after giving up eight runs (seven earned) on 12 hits with two walks and seven strikeouts in six innings. Freshman Braeden Cochran would throw three scoreless innings of relief, giving up one hit with one walk and one strikeout.
Karstetter would be the leader in hitting as he went 3-for-5 with three doubles, two RBI and a stolen base. Woodburn, Sanchez and Gilbert each had two hits. Woodburn (2-for-4) added a run and a stolen base, Sanchez (2-for-4) added one run and Gilbert (2-for-4) added two RBI and a run.
Ismaili (1-for-5, two RBI) and Dearing (1-for-3, one run) had the remaining two hits, while Almonte (one run and one walk) also contributed.
For the Titans, freshmen Brett Wagner and Kelsen Johnson each had two hits.
Notes:
With his one RBI, Karstetter has broken Al Corbeil's record for most career RBI (145, 1998-99) with 146 RBI. Additionally, his three hits (all doubles) not only put him at 208 career hits, but he has surpassed Paul Stryas (49, 1996-97) for most career doubles. He now has 50 career doubles.
Other Suncoast Scores:
Polk State (26-16, 8-5 Suncoast) defeated Hillsborough (8-32, 2-11 Suncoast) 9-6 in the first game of the second half of conference play. Game two will take place at George Steinbrenner Field in Tampa.
Suncoast Conference Standings:
1. SCF (25-19, 11-2)
2. Polk State (26-16, 8-5)
3. St. Pete (14-22, 5-8)
4. Hillsborough (8-32, 2-11)
Up Next:
Game two will turn towards Robert C. Wynn Field Saturday afternoon, April 8 at 1 pm. Freshman Ed Wagner (5-1, 3.46 ERA) will be given the nod to start the game.