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SFCC Baseball Powers Past Pasco

By MARK PINSON

Highlands Today

Published: March 8, 2009

AVON PARK - Despite losing an early four-run lead, the South Florida Community College baseball team refused to fold in Friday night's Suncoast Conference opener against Pasco-Hernando CC.

The Panthers stormed back behind the hitting of Jose Rodriguez, who went 2-for-4 with two homers and two RBI and the hot bats of Jerry Neufang, Ethan Lovell, Greg Smith, Tom Sicking and Austin Gaines, who had two hits each in the exciting 10-7 win.

"It was a hard-fought Suncoast Conference game," said SFCC coach Rick Hitt. "Both clubs played hard and we made some big plays when we had to.

"We talk to our guys about how important each pitch is and this was one of those games that came down to the last pitch."

The Panthers, who are ranked ninth in the state, improved to 20-6 overall.

Russell Kastor picked up the win in relief and Gaines came on to earn the save by retiring the last two Pasco batters with the bases loaded.

"Russell made some big pitches to get a strikeout with the bases loaded in the eighth inning," said Hitt. "And Austin did the same thing in the ninth to sew it up for us.

"I'm proud of the guys because they never quit and this kind of game shows you how important momentum is."

SFCC played at Pasco on Saturday afternoon with results not available at press time.

Be sure to check out Monday's Highlands Today sports section for the score.

SFCC is back on the diamond today when they host Lincolnland CC from Illinois at 1 p.m. and the Panthers host Pasco at 5 p.m. on Monday.

Mark Pinson can be reached at 863-386-5837 or mpinson@highlandstoday.com.

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SFCC Baseball Powers Past Pasco