Baseball team plays Broward College for second place in conference

The long baseball season has come down to the final series to see who punches their ticket into the postseason in the Southern Conference.

The Eastern Florida State College Titans come into the final series in second place at 11-10 in the conference and opens against Broward College on the road Wednesday night. The Seahawks come into the series one game behind the Titans at 10-11.

The Titans need to win one game in order to clinch a spot in the Southern Conference Tournament and if they can win two of the three-game series, they will host the conference tournament on May 1 and 2.

"We have to find a way to win the series," Eastern Florida State College baseball coach Jason Arnold said. "It starts Wednesday down there and Carter (Stewart) has been pitching great for us, we just haven't found a way to win those games he is pitching. We need to take advantage of his good innings and set the tone for the weekend."

Stewart comes into Wednesday's game with a 1.59 ERA in 11 starts and has struck out 88 hitters this season. The 1.59 ERA and 88 strikeouts is among the top five in the nation and the ERA is the best in Region 8.

In his only start against Broward, Stewart allowed one hit over eight innings and struck out 12 but the Titans lost 1-0.

The series will come to Bruce Bochy Field for the final two games, Friday at 6 p.m. and Saturday at 1 p.m.

"It is an advantage for us to be home for the final two but we just need to find a way to win these games and advance," Arnold said. "If we don't, we will have to go down there so there is a lot on the line which is exciting but nerve wracking at the same time."

Broward comes into the series on a roll, winning eight of the past 11 games.

"They throw strikes. They do not give you free passes, they play good defense and are not going to beat themselves," Arnold said. "You look at them and may not be wowed by their numbers, but they make you beat them. We will have to stay within ourselves and not press and find ways to win games."

Admission to Bruce Bochy Field is free.