East Lake Tosses Shutout To Top Palm Harbor University

East Lake starting pitcher Nic Daniels didn’t need much help from his offense against Palm Harbor University. The junior went the distance in a 1-0 in the shutout win over the Hurricanes Friday in Tarpon Springs.

Both pitching staffs were dominant in the game, with the teams combining for just four hits. However, East Lake’s bats did just enough to eek out the win.

Jacob Sessa, who had both of the Eagles’ hits, drove home the game-winning run in the bottom of the first inning. Following two consecutive walks to open the inning, Sessa put the Eagles up 1-0 by hitting the first pitch he saw to left field, scoring Paul Phillips from second base on an RBI single.

Palm Harbor University (1-3) starting pitcher Hunter Mink was lights out after that, tossing five innings, allowing two hits, one run, four walks and striking out 11.

But it was East Lake’s Daniels who notched the win Friday. He tossed seven innings, allowing two hits, no runs, and four walks with seven strikeouts.

The Hurricanes put a runner on third base on two occasions but Daniels ended the scoring threat each time. In the top of the first Tanner Mink hit a two out triple to center field, but Daniels forced the next batter to pop out to end the inning. In the fifth, Joe Mattei drew a leadoff walk and advanced to third after an error and a passed ball, but Daniels recorded consecutive strikeouts to escape the jam.

With Palm Harbor University’s last chance to tie in the seventh, Daniels retired the side, capping it off with a strikeout to end the game.

Sessa finished 2-for-3 with an RBI for East Lake (3-1).

Mink and Nick Bell each had a hit for the Hurricanes.

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