Te'Kwaan Whyte did all he could to give the Chipola Indians (36-12, 15-4) a boost, but it wasn't enough to get past Pensacola State, as the Chipola Indians lost 9-7 at Chipola College on Friday.
Whyte boosted his batting average thanks to a perfect 3-3 day at the plate to pace the Chipola Indians. He singled in the sixth and eighth innings and doubled in the ninth inning.
Pensacola State couldn't get anything going as long as Franklin Van Gurpwas on the mound. Van Gurp gave up just one hit, allowed no earned runs, walked one and struck out four during his two innings of work.
Pensacola State was sparked by Drake Cabe and Onassis Matos, who teamed up for nine hits and four RBIs.
Bowden Francis (8-1) ended up on the wrong side of the pitching decision, charged with the loss. He allowed six runs in six innings, walked one and struck out four.
Four relief pitchers made sure the win didn't fall through the cracks for Pensacola State. Malik Jones faced eight batters in relief, while Devin Harrimam managed to record three outs to aid the victory.
The top of the first saw Pensacola State take an early lead, 1-0. Cabe started the rally for Pensacola State with a single. A groundout by Armond Upshawthen moved Cabe from first to second. Matos doubled, bringing home Cabe.
The Chipola Indians scored two runs of their own in the first. The Chipola Indians scored on an RBI single by Michael Hickman and a steal of home byJose Caballero.
Pensacola State didn't relinquish the lead after scoring one run in the fourth inning when it scored on a groundout by Miles Fore.
One the Chipola Indians run crossed the plate in the bottom half of the sixth, making the score 6-3. An RBI single by Whyte fueled the Chipola Indians' comeback. Finally, Harrimam got Wood Myers to ground out to end the threat.
An two-run eighth inning helped bring the Chipola Indians within one. A walk by Caballero and a sacrifice fly by Michael Hickman set off the Chipola Indians rally. But, Jones got Maurice Cooley to strike out to end the inning.
Pensacola State built upon its lead with three runs in the ninth. A sacrifice fly scored Jake Durant to get Pensacola State on the board in the inning.
Two runs in the bottom of the ninth helped the Chipola Indians close their deficit to 9-7. A two-run double by Reynaldo Rivera gave the Chipola Indians life.
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