The Patriots never recovered from the Vikings' 5-run first inning, despite a 2-run home run by Tito Mendoza and a solo shot by Matt Jones.
The loss puts CF (24-15, 9-7 MFC) in a tie with Daytona State for the second of the conference's two postseason berths. Santa Fe, which entered Wednesday in a first place tie with the Patriots, seized sole possession of the MFC lead with a 12-2 defeat of Lake-Sumter. CF can set things right at home this weekend, hosting last-place FSC-Jacksonville on Friday ahead of a Saturday showdown with Santa Fe at Goodlett Field.
Mid-Florida Conference Standings
(through Wednesday)
Santa Fe 10-6
Central Florida 9-7
Daytona State 9-7
Lake-Sumter 9-8
St. Johns River 9-8
Seminole 7-9
FSC-Jacksonville 4-12
