Indian River Sweeps Doubleheader Against College of Central Florida to Close Regular Season

OCALA, FL — Indian River wrapped up its regular season in dominant fashion, sweeping a doubleheader against the College of Central Florida with a 10-0 win in Game One and an 8-6 comeback victory in Game Two. The River clinched the series and concluded the regular season with a 34-14 overall record and a 24-9 mark in Citrus Conference play—finishing just a half-game behind Florida SouthWestern for first place. The River will now host the opening round of the state tournament next week.

The River came out firing in the first game, shutting out the College of Central Florida 10-0 behind a potent offensive showing and strong pitching. The scoring began in the top of the second inning when Shawn Andrade singled to drive in a run. Brett Patten followed with a sacrifice fly, and Matt Lashley launched a three-run homer to right field to cap a five-run inning. In the third, Jason Lashley added to the lead with an RBI single, making it 6-0. The River kept the pressure on, tallying 11 hits in total. Matt Lashley led the charge with four hits and three RBIs.
On the mound, Javi Miranda earned the win, tossing five scoreless innings, allowing just one hit while striking out two. Andris Barroso closed it out with two shutout innings, striking out three.

In the second game, The River staged a dramatic ninth-inning comeback to edge out Central Florida 8-6 and complete the sweep. Trailing by three in the top of the ninth, The River erupted for five runs. Nico Lopez doubled to center to start the rally, followed by a sacrifice fly from Andrade. Maikol Lucena delivered an RBI single down the right-field line, Jacob Souza walked in a run, and Jake Weatherspoon followed with a clutch RBI single to left. Lopez finished the game 3-for-4, leading an impressive effort from the bottom of the lineup. Lopez, Andrade, and Jason Lashley combined for six of the team's 12 hits, scored three runs, and drove in two. Jonathan Wolaver picked up the win, tossing 4.1 scoreless innings in relief with six strikeouts and just four hits allowed. Barroso, who also pitched two innings in Game One, gave The River two more innings in Game Two, allowing one run on two hits. Brian Ehrlich secured his second save of the season, closing the door with a strikeout in the ninth.

The River will now await the announcement of their opponent in the first round of the state tournament. The best-of-three regional series will begin on Friday, May 2, at 3 p.m., hosted by Indian River.

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