Jordan Zech had 3 hits and Hunter Smith had a home run for the Patriots (24-16, 9-8 MFC), who tied their longest losing streak of the season with a third straight setback.
In other MFC action, Santa Fe beat Daytona State 5-3 and Seminole State beat Lake-Sumter 4-2. That leaves Santa Fe a full two games in front of the pack and CF tied with Daytona and St. Johns River for second place at 9-8. The top two finishers will advance to the FCCAA State Tournament next month in Lakeland.
CF hosts Santa Fe on Saturday at 1 p.m. with a chance to cut the Saints' lead in half.
Mid-Florida Conference Standings
(through Friday's games)
Santa Fe 11-6
Central Florida 9-8
Daytona State 9-8
Central Florida 9-8
Daytona State 9-8
St. Johns River 9-8
Lake-Sumter 9-9
Seminole State 8-9
FSC-Jacksonville 4-13
Saturday's Games
Santa Fe @ Central Florida
St. Johns River @ FSC-Jacksonville
Seminole State @ Daytona State
