WINTER PARK , Fla. (April 22, 2006) It was a tale of two very
different games Saturday afternoon in Alfond Stadium. The Rollins
offense couldn't get it going until late in the first game, as they
fell 4-3. Then in the second game they could do no wrong, thumping
Palm Beach Atlantic, 14-6. Rollins took the three game series from
Palm Beach Atlantic 2-1. Rollins (25-21) scored three runs in the
first game all in the bottom of the ninth, falling just short to
the Sailfish. In the second game, the Tars used an eight run first
inning to propel themselves past PBA.
'
In
the first game, the Tars' bats were silenced through the first
eight innings thanks to a superb outing by Palm Bach Atlantic
starter Rob Neigebauer. Neigebauer went 8.1 innings for the
Sailfish, giving up three runs, one earned, on six hits while
striking out seven. Rollins was able to break out of their funk in
the bottom of the ninth inning. The Tars plated three runs, but
came up just short, falling to the Sailfish 4-3.
'
Sophomore first baseman Stefano Foggi led the Tars offensively
going 2-4 with a RBI. Junior shortstop Ryan McKenzie went 1-4 with
a run scored, a RBI, and a triple. Gary Martoccio, Tyler Hartman,
Gene Howard, and Kevin Schnacke collected the other four hits for
the Tars.
'
Senior Eduardo Chile took the mound for the Tars in the first game
and started off nearly flawless. Chile didn't allow a run until the
top of the sixth, while giving up just three hits over the same
span. Chile finished up his outing after the sixth. He went six
innings giving up two earned runs on six hits while walking three
and striking out seven.
'
The
second game began as an all-out slugfest. Palm Beach Atlantic
started the game with four runs on seven consecutive hits off of
Tar starter Mario Lombardo. The Sailfish sent all nine hitters up
to the plate in the inning. Not to be out-done, the Tars followed
up with a huge inning of their own in the bottom half. Sailfish
starter, Mike Doneth, pitched to nine batters in the bottom half of
the inning and failed to record an out. The Tars started the game
off with eight runs on seven hits against the unfortunate
right-hander. Rollins sent 13 men to the plate, scoring eight runs
on eight hits in the inning. The two teams combined for 12 runs on
15 hits, sending 22 men to the plate in an inning that lasted over
45 minutes.
'
Palm
Beach Atlantic tried to claw back in it starting in the second when
they were able to get a run back. However, Mario Lombardo toughened
up for the Tars giving up no runs over his final three innings.
Lombardo worked five innings for the Tars giving up five earned
runs on 11 hits, on the way to his fifth win on the season.
'
The
Tars added two runs in the fourth and four more in the sixth and
ended up routing the Sailfish 14-6.
'
Every Tar hitter, with the exception of late inning substitution,
Steve Mannenbach, got a hit. And every player outside of catcher
Eugene Martinez scored a run. Gene Howard led the offensive
onslaught with three hits, including two doubles, a run scored, and
three RBI. Stefano Foggi went 3-3 on the night with two runs
scored, and a RBI. Kevin Schnacke went 2-3 with three runs scored,
a double, and two RBI while also walking twice. Rob Cloar added two
hits, and a team best four RBI. And Anthony Soto added two hits,
two runs, and a RBI as well.
'
The Tars will be back in
action on Friday April 28 when they will travel down to Fort
Lauderdale for a three game series against the Nova Southeastern
Sharks. First pitch on Friday is scheduled for 6 pm.
