WINTER PARK , Fla. (February 11, 2006) The Rollins College baseball
team continued its flare for the dramatic Saturday as they defeated
Carson Newman in their last at bat for the second straight day,
2-1. The Tars (6-3) took both games of a double header from the
Eagles (3-4) as Rollins used some big bats to win the first game
6-4. The second game was tied at one in the bottom of the ninth
until junior shortstop Ryan McKenzie delivered the game winning RBI
single.
'
In
the first game, sophomore second baseman Gary Martoccio did a great
job in the lead-off spot as he reached base in all four of his
at-bats. Martoccio was 1-1 with three walks and two runs scored.
Freshman left fielder Ryan Maddern went 3-4 with a RBI and a run
scored. And freshman right fielder Tyler Hartman was 1-4 with a
double that plated two.
'
The
Tars' bats got started early in the first game. Rollins brought 11
men to the plate in the opening frame, smashing out six hits and
plating five runs. Jesse More had a RBI double, Steffano Foggi had
a RBI single, Tyler Hartman knocked in two with a double of his
own, and Steve Mannenbach ended the scoring barrage with a RBI
single up the middle. Starting pitcher Mario Lombardo wouldn't need
much more than that. Lombardo (2-0) struck out seven hitters in 5.1
innings while giving up three runs, only two of which were earned.
Carson Newman threatened to climb back in as the game progressed.
The Eagles got two in the second and one in the sixth off of
Lombardo. Rollins was able to add an insurance run in the bottom of
the sixth on a RBI double by Ryan Maddern. And freshman reliever
John Masklee gave up a run in 1.2 relief but was able to hold on
for the save. The Tars took the game 6-4.
'
The
Tars' bats struggled in the second game, but the pitching of
Jonathan Wano and Michael Eppich kept them afloat. Wano pitched
eight innings giving up six hits, and only one unearned run while
striking out two. Michael Eppich got the win (2-0) as he worked the
ninth giving up only one hit. Sophomore first baseman Steffano
Foggi went 2-5. Junior third baseman Gene Howard went 2-4 with a
RBI. And Ryan McKenzie went 2-4 with a double and the game winning
RBI single.
'
The
Eagles struck first in the second inning as the designated hitter
Tyler Wynn knocked in a run with a RBI single. Rollins answered
back in the third when Gene Howard slapped a RBI single through the
left side to score Jesse More from third. The score remained 1-1
until the ninth. Senior Brent Magnunson was hit by a pitch then
stole second to get things started. Then one batter later, Ryan
McKenzie delivered the game winning single into left field.
Magnunson scored easily from second and the Tars won 2-1.
'
The Tars were able to
hold on to win despite striking out eight times and leaving 15 men
on base. The young Tars also showed patience at the plate as they
drew nine walks from the Eagles' four pitchers.
The Tars and Eagles
will finish up their series Sunday at noon at Alfond Stadium.
