TAMPA, FL (352today.com) – Dawson Harman is closing in on the College of Central Florida’s (CF) single-season home run record (22) after smashing two more in the Patriots’ 11-7 win over Hillsborough Community College on Thursday in Tampa. Harman now has 16 homers, ranking third nationally in the NJCAA and first in the state.
The Patriots started fast, jumping out to a 3-0 lead. Miles Curley doubled off the centerfield wall in the first, and Gio Mendoza drove in two more with a double in the second. Harman added an RBI single and followed it with a solo homer to make it 5-0.
Starting pitcher Kohl Kilcrease (2-0) cruised through the first four innings before encountering trouble in the fifth. He finished with 5+ innings pitched, allowing seven hits and seven runs – only two of which were earned – while striking out nine. Karson Lindsey came on in relief in the sixth and closed out the game, earning his first save of the season. Lindsey threw four scoreless innings, allowing three hits and striking out two.
The Patriots sealed the win with Harman’s second homer of the day, an Anthony Diaz two-run double, and a Tanner Swank sacrifice fly.
CF improves to 28-11 overall and 13-9 in Citrus Conference play. Hillsborough drops to 16-22 and 8-14. The two teams will wrap up the three-game series on Saturday with a doubleheader in Ocala. First pitch for Game 1 is scheduled for noon.