Indian River Drops First Conference Series

FORT PIERCE, FL - Despite a late comeback attempt, the River came up short in a pair of games against Seminole State on Saturday, falling 6–5 in Game One and 10–4 in Game Two.

In the opener, EJ Burns went 3-for-4 at the plate, singling in the first and second innings before delivering a two-run double in the sixth. His clutch hit helped Indian River surge ahead 5–3 in the bottom of the sixth. Niko Benested followed with an RBI single in the same inning to cap the rally. Seminole State struck first in the opening frame when Orozco launched a two-run homer to left field. After trailing for much of the game, the River's sixth-inning rally briefly put them in control.

However, Seminole State responded in the top of the seventh. Lluberes lifted a sacrifice fly to cut into the deficit, and back-to-back walks by Orozco and McKay with the bases loaded forced in two more runs, giving Seminole State a 6–5 lead they would not relinquish. Blake Anderson started on the mound for Indian River, allowing five hits and three runs (two earned) over four innings while striking out four and walking one. Max Gonzalez took the loss after surrendering one run on three walks in one-third of an inning. Chambers started for Seminole State, giving up six hits and two runs over three and one-third innings.

Indian River tallied 11 hits in the contest, with Niko Benested and Joe Amunategui joining EJ Burns in recording multiple-hit performances. The team also turned one double play defensively. Orozco paced Seminole State with three RBIs, finishing 1-for-3. Abreut added two hits in two at-bats, and both he and Vega drew two walks as Seminole State worked nine free passes overall.

In Game two, Seminole State used a dominant seventh inning to pull away and secure a 10–4 victory. Seminole State struck early in the top of the first inning. Abreut singled to center field to plate a run, and McKay followed with a solo home run to right to make it 2–0. Jackson added an RBI single in the second inning to extend the lead to 3–0.

The River answered in the bottom of the second when Joe Amunategui launched a three-run homer to left field, tying the game at 3–3. Seminole State regained the lead in the sixth inning as Abreut delivered another RBI single to put his team ahead 4–3. The decisive blow came in the seventh, when Seminole State erupted for six runs on seven hits. McKay opened the frame with his second solo home run of the game. Ercole, Jonas, Lluberes, Abreut, and Orozco each followed with RBI singles to cap the offensive outburst.

Michael Malone started on the mound for Indian River, allowing five hits and three runs (two earned) over three innings while striking out four and walking two. Sampson earned the win for Seminole State after surrendering seven hits and four runs over six and one-third innings, striking out five and walking two. Joe Amunategui drove in three runs from the eighth spot in the lineup, finishing 1-for-4, while Andy Schroeder collected two hits in five at-bats. Indian River also turned one double play.

Seminole State racked up 16 hits in the contest. Abreut led the way with a 4-for-6 performance and three RBIs, while McKay powered the offense with two home runs, going 3-for-6 with two runs scored and two RBIs. Lluberes and Jackson also recorded multiple hits.

Indian River drops to 8–5 overall and 1–2 in Citrus Conference play. The River will be back at home Tuesday as they host TNXL at 2 p.m.

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