Indian River Sweeps Doubleheader

PANAMA CITY BEACH, FL-Indian River State College swept both games on Saturday, defeating Meridian Community College 4-3 and Northwest Florida State College 8-1. The Pioneers will advance to the championship game in the Perfect Game JUCO Classic on Sunday against Chipola College.

Game 1 vs Meridian Community College.
It came down to the wire in game one, as the Pioneers grabbed victory in walk-off fashion, 4-3 over Meridian Community College. With the game tied at three in the bottom of the seventh, sophomore Matty Davis singled, driving in Makiol Lucena for the winning run.

Makiol Lucena collected four hits, including two doubles, setting the tone for the Pioneers' offense. Indian River amassed ten hits in the game. Jake Weatherspoon was another driving force in the lineup, collecting two hits in his four at-bats.

Shane Lavin started the game for the Pioneers, making his second appearance of the year. The left-hander struck out four over four and two-thirds innings, allowing just one run. Sophomores Sammy Beir and Andrés Barroso both pitched in relief, with Barroso earning his second win of the season. The sidearmer gave up only one hit in relief without allowing a run.

Indian River overcame three miscues that helped Meridian tie the game—this was the most errors the Pioneers have committed in a game this season. With the win, Indian River improved to 6-0, setting up a chance to play in the championship with a win over Northwest Florida.

Game 2 vs Northwest Florida.
The Pioneers took down last year's Florida State Champion and National Runner-up, Northwest Florida State College, 8-1 in the Perfect Game JUCO Classic. Indian River now improves to 7-0 and 3-0 in the tournament, allowing just four runs while scoring twenty over the weekend.

Sophomore Lucas Glendinning made his second start of the season, earning his first win. Glendinning allowed five hits and one run over five innings while striking out seven. Jonathan Wolaver tossed two innings of scoreless relief, striking out three.

Indian River piled up eleven hits in the game. Matt Lashley collected two hits for the Pioneers, and Jake Weatherspoon drove in four runs, breaking the game open in the fifth inning.

The defense stepped up for the Pioneers, putting the miscues from the previous game behind them to play a clean game.

Indian River will look for some revenge against Chipola in the championship game tomorrow, February 2 as the Indians were the team that knocked the Pioneers out in the Final Four of last year's State Tournament.

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