OCALA, FL (352today.com) – The College of Central Florida (CF) Patriots (18-4) reaffirmed their status as the No. 1 team in Florida with a commanding 13-3 victory over the St. Johns River State College Vikings (15-11) on Tuesday, fueled by an eight-run first inning.

Run-scoring hits from Logan Chapman, Marcus Bradshaw, Anthony Diaz, Tanner Swank, and Dawson Harman accounted for seven of those early runs, while a bases-loaded hit-by-pitch to Bruno Schafer capped off the scoring barrage.

Tanner Swank drives in a run during the College of Central Florida’s 13-3 victory over St. Johns River State on Tuesday in Ocala. Courtesy: Heidi Kearney
Tanner Swank drives in a run during the College of Central Florida’s 13-3 victory over St. Johns River State on Tuesday in Ocala. Courtesy: Heidi Kearney/College of Central Florida

The Vikings responded in the top of the third when Brody Dalton blasted his second home run of the game, cutting the Patriots’ lead to 8-3. However, CF quickly answered in the bottom of the inning as Miles Curley tripled home Diaz. A Brett House double, a Diaz RBI single, and two wild pitches extended the lead to the final score of 13-3.

Anthony Diaz delivers an RBI single during the College of Central Florida’s 13-3 victory over St. Johns River State on Tuesday in Ocala. Courtesy: Heidi Kearney/College of Central Florida

On the mound, Karson Lindsey and Cory Geinzer each pitched two innings, allowing just two hits, no runs, and striking out six batters. Offensively, Swank (2H), Diaz (2H, double, 3 RBI), and Harman (3H, double, triple) led the way.

Corey Geinzer fires a pitch during the College of Central Florida’s 13-3 victory over St. Johns River State on Tuesday in Ocala.
Corey Geinzer fires a pitch during the College of Central Florida’s 13-3 victory over St. Johns River State on Tuesday in Ocala. Courtesy: Heidi Kearney/College of Central Florida

The Patriots now turn their focus to a three-game Citrus Conference series against Seminole State College (15-8), beginning Thursday at 2 p.m. in Ocala. The series continues Saturday with a doubleheader at Seminole State, scheduled for 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.

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