Indian River Takes Series Against Hillsborough

FORT PIERCE, FL- Indian River split its doubleheader with Hillsborough on Saturday, April 19 dropping game one 13-7 and bouncing back to win game two 7-3. With the win, Indian River will host the first round of the State Tournament, which follows a regional best two-out-of-three format. The River improves to 32-12 overall and 22-8 in Citrus Conference play, holding first place by half a game over FSW.

Indian River fell to Hillsborough 13-7 despite out-hitting the Hawks 15-14 in game one. The River was hurt by the long ball in the afternoon matchup, as Hillsborough launched three home runs, including a grand slam in the fourth inning that ultimately put the game out of reach. Shane Lavin got the start for Indian River. The southpaw gave up eight hits and eight runs over four innings, striking out five. Brian Ehrlich finished the game for The River, going 2.1 innings while allowing only two hits and one run, and striking out one.

The River tallied 15 hits in the game. Brett Patten, Maikol Lucena, Jason Lashley, and Jake Weatherspoon each collected multiple hits for Indian River.

Indian River bounced back in a big way in game two with a 7-3 win over Hillsborough to take the series and clinch home-field advantage in the first round of the State Tournament.

Down 3-0 going into the bottom of the fifth inning, sophomore Maikol Lucena hit a bases-clearing double to tie the game. In the bottom of the seventh, with the score knotted at 3-3, Indian River broke the game open with a bases-loaded walk drawn by Scout Simpson and a clutch single by Jacob Souza to push the lead to 7-3.

Justin Minaberry earned his fourth win of the season. The sophomore right-hander surrendered just one hit and no runs over three innings, striking out five. Dane Rossi made his first conference start for The River, going three innings, striking out one, and allowing three runs. Sammy Beir bridged the gap to Minaberry with three scoreless innings, striking out two. Indian River collected nine hits in the game. Lucena and Shawn Andrade each recorded two hits for The River.

Indian River will be back at home this Tuesday, April 22 for non-conference action against Miami Dade at 5 p.m.