Baseball team falls to Broward in first game of best-of-three series

The Eastern Florida State College baseball team lost the first game of the best of three series with Broward College 8-4 Wednesday evening at Bruce Bochy Field.

Broward College opened the day by defeating Indian River State College 2-1 behind Jeissy De La Cruz who hit a two-run double in the top of the ninth inning to break open a scoreless game. Indian River would score once in the bottom of the ninth, but the Seahawks held on to advance to the best-of-three series with the Titans.

Eastern Florida State College got on the board first in the second inning as Kevin Silva reached on a bunt single and went to third on an errant throw. He would later score on a passed ball. The Titans would make it 2-0 in the third inning as Austin Bates hit a single that scored Dilan Espinal. It was the 29^th straight game that Bates has had a hit.

Bates would drive in another run in the seventh inning, laying down a bunt single that scored Espinal.

Down 3-1 the Seahawks rallied for three runs in the eighth inning and another four in the ninth to take the 8-4 win.

Starting pitcher Carter Stewart struck out 12 in six innings, allowing one run on three hits in a no-decision.

Game 2 is scheduled to begin at 3 p.m. at Bruce Bochy Field and Pablo Barquero Jackson will take the mound for the Titans. Admission is free and the third game will be at 6:30 p.m. if necessary. The winner of the best-of-three series will advance to the FCSAA State Tournament May 10 in Lakeland.