WINTER PARK , Fla. (April 14, 2006) The Rollins baseball team fell
in both games of a double header Friday to the defending national
champions, Florida Southern, 8-7 and 4-0. The Mocs won the game on
Thursday as well in ten innings, 14-9, completing the second
straight Sunshine State Conference sweep in a row of the Tars. The
Tars (22-20) dropped three last weekend on the road to Saint Leo.
Rollins fought tooth and nail in the first game, coming back twice
against the Mocs. However, Southern was able to take the lead back
in the ninth and hold on for a 8-7 win. Florida Southern's starting
pitcher, Ken Wadsworth, overpowered Rollins in the second game for
a 4-0 shutout win.
'
Rollins was led offensively in the first game by sophomore first
baseman Stefano Foggi. Foggi went 2-3 in the game with a run
scored, a double, and four runs batted in. He also walked twice.
Senior outfielder Brent Magnuson went 2-5 with two runs scored. And
sophomore designated hitter Kevin Schnacke went 1-2 with a RBI
double.
'
The
Tars found themselves in a 5-0 hole early on against the Mocs.
Florida Southern plated five runs in the top of the third inning,
taking advantage of two Tar errors. Three of the runs in the inning
were unearned. Rollins was quick to respond for the second straight
day. The Tars plated five runs to tie the game in the bottom of the
fourth. Howard began the inning with a double. Soto walked and
Magnuson got an infield single to load the bases with no one out.
The Tars then plated a run on a fielding error by the shortstop.
Stefano Foggi came up with a clutch double which plated three to
bring the score to 5-4. Foggi would later score on a very odd error
by the catcher. Raul Rodriguez used his mask to keep a wild pitch
from creeping away and Foggi was awarded home on the play, thereby
tying the score at five.
'
Florida Southern took the lead back in the top of the sixth with
two more runs, chasing the Tars' starter, Eduardo Chile out after
six innings. Rollins still wasn't ready to conceded as they
answered back with two more in the bottom of the seventh. Soto
began the inning with a single up the middle which was followed in
turn by a single to left by Brent Magnuson. McKenzie moved the
runners up with a sac bunt. And Kevin Schnacke delivered a big
pinch hit 2-RBI double over the right fielder's head, tying the
game at seven.
'
Despite their valiant comeback, the Rollins pen couldn't hold off
the Moccasin attack in the ninth. Florida Southern was able to
plate a run on a sacrifice fly by Nick Mershon, to make the score
8-7. Kyle DeYoung closed it out for the Mocs in the ninth and they
would go on to win by the same score.
'
In
the second game, the Tars managed just three hits over seven
innings against Ken Wadsworth. Gene Howard accounted for two hits
and Steve Mannenbach grabbed the other.
'
Mario Lombardo cruised through the first four innings, but was
touched up for three runs on two homers in the fifth. Lombardo
ended up throwing 5.1 giving up four earned runs on eight hits
while walking three and striking out three.
'
Wadsworth just left the Tar bats baffled. He went the full seven
innings for his first complete game shutout of the season. It was
also the first complete game shutout all year by the Mocs as a
team. Wadsworth gave up three hits, walked two, and struck out
eight in the outing.
'
The Tars will hit the
field again on Tuesday April 18 when they host Webber International
at Alfond Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for 7 pm.
