The River Sweeps Seminole State

FORT PIERCE, FL - In an important Citrus Conference doubleheader showdown on Saturday, March 15 The River clinched the first game with a thrilling 4-3 walk-off victory against Seminole State. The action kicked off early, with The River striking in the first inning. Presley Smith's double set the tone, allowing the team to score the initial run. Seminole State fought right back to take a 2-1 lead in the third inning. McKenzie Gibson was then hit by a pitch in the fourth inning, tying the game.

In a pivotal moment, Thaima Maximiliana launched a solo home run into center field during the sixth inning, giving Indian River a 3-2 lead. Seminole State again tied the game in the top of the seventh with a solo home run of their own. The game reached a nail-biting climax in the bottom of the seventh inning when Kassidy Pontbriant delivered a clutch single, bringing home the winning run (Smith) and further firing up the home crowd.

J'dah Girigorie showcased her pitching prowess, earning the win after a solid seven-inning performance, allowing five hits and three runs while striking out eight batters. The team demonstrated exceptional discipline at the plate, accumulating seven walks and capitalizing on their speed with eight stolen bases, including two from Maximiliana.

In the nightcap, The River defeated Seminole State via run-rule, 8-0, capped by a spectacular seven-run fifth inning. The scoring began in the fourth inning when McKenzie Gibson drew a walk, allowing the first run to cross the plate and giving The River a 1-0 lead. This momentum carried into the fifth, where the team broke the game open. Indian River showcased its offensive power, with Braylee Shields contributing a key single that brought in two runs. Kassidy Pontbriant followed suit with another single, scoring one run, while Thaima Maximiliana delivered her second home run of the day—this time, a three-run shot to left field. J'dah Girigorie capped off the inning with an RBI single, enforcing the mercy-rule victory.

Pontbriant earned the win by pitching five solid innings, allowing only two hits and no runs while striking out two batters and walking just one. Maximiliana, Pontbriant, and Presley Smith each contributed multi-hit performances, while Moesha de Paula drew two of the team's four walks.

Indian River (20-3) improves to 9-3 in conference play, with a home matchup next on Tuesday, March 18, vs. Miami Dade (21-3) at 4 p.m. and 6 p.m.

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