Sun Lakes Conference Championship GM 1: Mastantuno Leads Vikes With 2 Homers Over Panthers

The balls were flying early in the first game of the 2023 Sun Lakes Conference Championship with two homers by So. Aiden Mastantuno, leading St. John’s River State to an 8-3 victory over Palm Beach State.

Both pitchers went far in both games and dealt with their fair share of bumps along the way, but Orange Park, FL, native Logan Schmidt was able to go the distance for the Vikings to set themselves up nicely with the pitching situation for the rest of the tournament.

As for the Panthers of Palm Beach State, the team was able to chip away at the sizeable lead throughout, at one point putting themselves within two runs of the Vikings when the game was at a 4-2 score; however, another massive inning in the 5th by the Vikes put them behind by a wide margin, which became too much to overcome late.

Jacob Roberts, the starter for the Panthers, did a solid job battling back in pressuring situations, but the offensive bats of the Vikings became too much for the So. Right Hander from Omaha.

The Vikings will now turn to tomorrow night, as they will play in the semifinal game at 7 p.m., while Palm Beach State will be looking at potential elimination tomorrow in their 2 p.m. EST matinee.

The two teams will be playing the respective losing and winning teams from tonight’s 1v4 matchup between Pasco-Hernando State and South Florida State at 7 p.m., with the broadcast being on the PHSC Facebook page.