Andrew Giermak

Lakeland made it 3-for-3 in the group stage of the Nansemond River Spring Break Invitational Tournament Tuesday afternoon, beating cross-town foe King’s Fork, 18-2.

The Cavaliers jumped on KF in the bottom of the first, sending 12 batters to the plate and striking for eight runs to take a commanding lead.

Two hit batters and three errors compounded problems for the Bulldogs.

Michael Espinosa, Seth Potter, Jason West, Colt Eason and David Morean all had RBI in the Cavalier rally.

KF got on the board in the top of the third when Chris Byrd started the frame with a single, stole second, advanced to third on a passed ball, and then scored on Jacob Freemeau’s grounder to shortstop.

Daniel Cross’s two-RBI triple, turned homer with a KF error, made it 11-1 after the third inning and Lakeland went on to score seven times in the fourth.

Seth Brown and Cross scored three times apiece for Lakeland and Brown, Espinosa and Grey Pope each had two hits.

David Epperson tossed the first three-plus innings for the Cavaliers, giving up two runs and striking out five.

Nolan Robertson finished up the last two innings, striking out five as well.