Baseball Shuts Out Tampa JV

Bradenton, Fla - Despite a sluggish game,  the SCF baseball team (12-7, 3-3 Citrus) were able to secure their first shutout of the season as they defeated the University of Tampa JV 6-0 (5-5) at Wynn Field.

"While our offense was very sluggish, it's always nice to get a win on our home field," said head coach Tim Hill II. "It was also good to get a lot of players in the game, mostly on the mound.  I'm looking for the guys to get some better timely hitting when we start our series with Daytona State."

"I thought we did good overall, but we have to be better at the plate and have an approach to get hits with runners in scoring position" said sophomore Mario Trivella. "Our goal when we play Daytona State is to go out there and play the game we know we can play by making the plays and hitting. From there, we'll be good."

"I think the team handled business as they should," said freshman Holden Brauner. "We definitely have some things to focus on to have more dominating performances as we should. We are a very physical team with a ton of tools. Today, we got the job done, but we have more to show. "

Hill II sent sophomore Duke McCarron to the mound, while Tampa JV head coach Mark Johnson went with freshman Garrett Hill to counter.

The first four innings became a pitcher's duel between Danielcyzk and the combination of McCarron, sophomores Gavyn Bowen and Frank Villella and freshman Austin Monahan as the five pitchers kept the game scoreless.

In the bottom of the fifth, the Manatees would get on the board first. After back-to-back singles by freshman Dominic Donatucci and Clayton Evans, Brauner would send a single to right to bring in Donatucci before Trivella brought in Evans with a sacrifice fly to right to make it 2-0 SCF.

After the sixth inning went scoreless, the Manatees would add to their lead. After a Trivella single and stolen base before moving to third on an error, sophomore Walker Vanecek would draw a walk before freshman Mattie Counts drew a walk to load the bases. Sophomore Hayden Gustavson would then bring in Trivella with a bases-loaded walk before freshman Bernard Barnes reached on an error with Vanecek and Counts scoring. Sophomore Allan Gil Fernandez would then bring in Gustavson with a single before being called out after trying to stretch a single to a double.

From there, the Manatees would hold the Spartans scoreless for the rest of the game before sealing the victory.

Nine pitchers combined a five-hit shutout with three walks and 11 strikeouts (McCarron, Barnes, Bowen, Villella, Monahan, sophomore Daniel Hartley, redshirt freshman Cole Dement and freshmen James Kleiven and Ben Ryan). Hartley would secure the win and improve to 1-1 on the season.

Hill would earn a no-decision after throwing three scoreless innings with one hit, one walk and one strikeout. Sophomore Corey Lyle would be hit with the loss after giving up two runs on three hits in two innings of relief.

Trivella would lead the way in hitting and baserunning as he went a career 3-for-3 with an RBI, one run and three stolen bases.

"I've been feeling great and today was a good example of my batting," said Trivella. "I was seeing the ball perfect and just had the same discipline at the plate while not missing my pitch. Last week, I was practicing stealing bases and I have been feeling more comfortable having a good read to the pitchers."

Brauner would round out the order in multi-hit game as he went 2-for-5 with an RBI.

"I felt great at the plate," said Brauner. "It really helps when the guys in front of you get on base to give you multiple avenues of success. The guys are doing great out there and we look confident at the plate as a whole. We're all working hard and are overly preparing so it comes easily in the real moment."

"Mario and Holden both had a good night at the plate," said Hill II on Trivella and Brauner.

Gil Fernandez (1-for-1, one RBI and one walk), Donatucci (1-for-2, one run) and Evans (1-for-4, one run) had the remaining four hits.

Up Next:

The Manatees will look to get back on track for Citrus Conference play as they face Daytona State (3-14, 1-5 Citrus) for their next series.