WINTER PARK , Fla.
(February 19, 2006) ' Rollins had their best offensive output of
the season, totaling 21 hits in a doubleheader sweep over St.
Thomas on Sunday. The Tars won the opener 11-3 then came from
behind for a 7-4 victory in the night cap. The wins improve
Rollins' record to 9-4 on the season while St. Thomas falls to
6-5.
'
The
Tars were led on the day by Gene Howard who hit 5-8 with seven RBI
and five runs scored in the two games. Leadoff man Gary Martoccio
was 4-6 with six runs scored and Ryan McKenzie went 3-6 with a pair
of RBI.
'
Senior hurler Eduardo Chile had a great outing in game one,
throwing seven solid innings, allowing six hits and one earned run
while striking out 10. Bill Bradley came on to pitch the final two
innings, surrendering just one hit.
'
Michael Eppich improved to 3-0 on the year, scoring the game two
victory in relief. He had two innings on the hill, allowing just
one hit. Mario Lombardo started the game, scattering seven hits and
allowing four runs in five innings of work.
'
In
game one, the Tars got one in the first inning, but blew the game
open in the third with a six run, six hit inning. Howard had a two
RBI double to the wall in the frame with Rollins manufacturing the
other four with solid base running. The Bobcats got one back in
their half of the fourth, but the hosts added three more in the
sixth with Howard's second two RBI double of the game and a Stefano
Foggi sac fly to make the score 10-1. Saint Thomas scored two in
the top half of the seventh and Rollins added another in the bottom
of the frame behind a McKenzie double down the left field line.
'
The
Bobcats came out firing in the night cap and jumped out to a 2-0
lead after the top of the first. Rollins made the score 2-1 after
their at-bat as Tyler Hartman sent a screeching double to the right
field fence that plated Martoccio. STU scored another in the third,
but Rollins got it back in the fourth after Brent Magnuson smacked
a double and was brought around with a Rob Cloar single to make the
count 3-2. The Bobcats manufactured a run in the fifth to take a
4-2 lead only to see Rollins fight back and knot the score with
another Howard RBI double and a Jason Cutlip RBI single. Eppich
came on to shut down the visitors in the sixth and set up the wild
Rollins half of the inning. Back to back line outs to right field
put the Tars in a hole, but Martoccio reached and stole second and
Hartman was plunked to put runners on first and second. Howard then
worked a full count and poked a single to center that scored
Martoccio to put Rollins ahead. Foggi came up and cleared the paths
with a two RBI triple to right and put it away for Rollins. Eppich
cleaned up the ninth and gave Rollins their third straight win.
'
The
Tars will return to action on Tuesday, February 21 when they will
host defending SSC and national champion, Florida Southern at the
Alfond Stadium. First pitch is slated for 7 p.m.
