FSCJ baseball player sliding into home plate against Lake-Sumter State College.
February 22, 2026

FSCJ Baseball Opens Conference with Series Win Over Lake-Sumter

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The FSCJ Manta Rays battled through a roller-coaster weekend series against the Lake-Sumter State College Lakehawks, splitting three games that showcased both the team's resilience and areas for growth. After opening with a dramatic come-from-ahead victory on Friday night, the Manta Rays dropped the first game of Saturday's doubleheader before bouncing back to salvage a series split in the nightcap.

Friday Night Thriller: Manta Rays Survive Late Rally, 7–6

The series opened with high drama at Riley Park on February 20, as the Manta Rays survived a furious ninth-inning rally to edge the Lakehawks 7–6. FSCJ built a commanding six-run lead through seven innings before Lake-Sumter mounted a heart-stopping comeback attempt in the final frame.

Sophomore right-hander Glover dominated through eight innings, striking out 10 batters while allowing just six hits and two runs. His performance kept the Lakehawks at bay until Lake-Sumter exploded for five runs in the ninth.

FSCJ wasted no time getting on the board. Daneault crushed a solo home run to center field in the bottom of the first after a six-pitch battle, giving the Manta Rays an early 1–0 advantage. Lake-Sumter answered in the third with a run on a groundout to knot the score at 1–1.

The Manta Rays seized control in the bottom of the third with a three-run outburst. Vazquez delivered an RBI single down the right-field line, Collins followed with a run-scoring double to center, and Disbrow capped the rally with another RBI single to left, pushing FSCJ ahead 4–1.

FSCJ added insurance runs to build what appeared to be a comfortable 7–1 cushion heading into the final frame. But Lake-Sumter refused to go quietly, exploding for five runs in the ninth on six hits—including a solo home run, an RBI single, and a three-run blast that brought the tying run to the plate. Yesensky entered to slam the door, earning the save and preserving the victory.

The Manta Rays collected 12 hits on the night. Collins, Disbrow, and Martineau each recorded two hits, with Martineau going 2-for-5 and leading the team with two RBIs.

Saturday Morning Setback: Lakehawks Dominate 12–3

The momentum from Friday's thriller evaporated quickly the following morning at Lake-Sumter State College. The Lakehawks broke open a close game with a six-run second inning and cruised to a 12–3 victory in the first game of Saturday's doubleheader.

Lake-Sumter struck first in the bottom of the first with a run on a groundout, then blew the game wide open in the second. The Lakehawks sent 11 batters to the plate and pounded out five hits, highlighted by a three-run double, an RBI double, and a two-run home run to left field that gave them a commanding 7–0 lead.

The onslaught continued in the third as Lake-Sumter added two more runs on RBI singles, and a solo home run to right field in the fifth extended the margin to 10–0.

FSCJ finally broke through in the sixth when Vazquez launched a solo home run to right field. The Manta Rays added two more runs late, but the deficit proved insurmountable.

Wilfong took the loss for FSCJ, surrendering six runs (five earned) on four hits in just one and two-thirds innings. Astacio Jr. provided 3.1 innings of relief, allowing four runs on six hits while striking out three.

The Lake-Sumter starter earned the win with a strong six-inning performance, allowing three runs on seven hits while striking out four without issuing a walk.

Vazquez and Morales paced the Manta Rays with two hits apiece. Vazquez, Disbrow, and Martineau each drove in a run in the losing effort.

Saturday Nightcap: Daneault Leads Manta Rays to Series Split with 4–2 Victory

Refusing to let the lopsided morning loss define their weekend, the Manta Rays regrouped for the series finale later that afternoon. Daneault went 3-for-5 at the plate and sparked the offense as FSCJ bounced back to defeat the Lakehawks 4–2, salvaging a split of the three-game set.

Daneault collected singles in the first, second, and eighth innings, setting the table for the Manta Rays' attack throughout the contest.

The Manta Rays struck first in the top of the first when Collins lifted a sacrifice fly to score the game's opening run. Lake-Sumter answered immediately in the bottom half, tying the score 1–1 on a lineout RBI.

FSCJ seized control in the second inning with a decisive three-run rally. Daneault ignited the surge with an RBI single to center, Martineau followed with a run-scoring infield single, and Newman added a sacrifice fly to push the lead to 4–1.

Lake-Sumter cut the deficit to 4–2 with a solo home run in the fourth, but the Manta Rays' pitching staff locked down from there.

Starter Carson earned the win, allowing two runs on six hits over five solid innings while striking out two. Bradley and Musgrove combined for four scoreless innings of relief to preserve the victory, with Musgrove slamming the door in the final frame.

FSCJ finished with 10 hits in the contest. Collins, Newman, and Daneault each drove in a run, while Gonzalez added two hits in three at-bats.

The series split leaves the Manta Rays with valuable lessons learned and momentum heading into their next matchup against St. Johns River State College on Thursday, February 26 at 6 p.m.

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