SAINT LEO, Fla. (April 7, 2006) The Rollins baseball team couldn't
overcome a good pitching performance from Saint Leo as they fell on
the road to the Lions, 6-4. The Tars (21-15, 5-8) were down three
runs at 5-2 going into the eighth. Rollins was able to get to
within a run at 5-4. However, the Lions responded with another run
in the bottom half of the eighth, and the Tars fell 6-4. Junior
David Nathanson battled on the mound for seven innings giving up
just three earned runs on seven hits, but was tagged with his
fourth loss on the season.
'
Rollins was led offensively by sophomore second baseman Gary
Martoccio. Martoccio reached base three times, going 2-4 with two
singles, a hit by pitch, and two runs scored. He was the only Tar
with multiple hits. The Tars as a team posted just five hits.
Freshman Anthony Soto had a good night driving runners in. Soto was
1-3 on the night, with a single and two runner batted in. Sophomore
designated hitter Steven Mannenbach matched Soto's RBI output with
two runs batted in of his own. Mannenbach went 1-3 with a single
and two RBI.
'
David Nathanson worked seven strong innings giving up five runs,
only three of which were earned, on seven hits while striking out
four. Nathanson struggled with his control throughout as evidenced
by his four hit batsmen, two walks and wild pitch.
'
Saint Leo's left-handed starter Ronald Lowe suffered from control
problems early on as well. Lowe hit three batters of his own and
walked one. But Lowe was able to dig in and grind out eight very
solid innings. Lowe gave up just five hits and two earned runs
while striking out four for his eighth win on the year. He is now
8-0 on the season.
'
The
Tars tried to jump on Lowe right out of the gate. Martoccio led off
the game by getting hit by a Lowe pitch. Hartman followed with a
four pitch walk, putting runners on first and second. Anthony Soto
got the Tars on the board with a RBI single into the left
centerfield gap, putting Rollins up 1-0. Steve Mannenbach followed
with a RBI ground out to the second baseman to put the Tars up
2-0.
'
The
Lions responded in the bottom of the second half on a two out
rally. Nathanson retired the first two Lions in the inning.
However, outfielder Matt Prowant began the rally with a single.
Shortstop Jerry Gonzalez followed with a walk and centerfielder
Sean ValGuilder smacked his second single of the game for the RBI.
Saint Leo was able to take the lead in the bottom of the fourth
inning on two unearned runs. The Lions got the rally started again
with two outs. Prowant reached base on a costly error and then came
around to score on a double by Gonzalez. Gonzalez would later score
on a wild pitch by Nathanson.
'
Saint Leo added an insurance run in the bottom of the fifth inning.
The Lions loaded the bases with one out. Third baseman Devon Cason
knocked in a run with a sac fly to center to make it a 4-2 game in
favor of the Lions.
'
The
Lions threatened once again in the bottom of the sixth inning.
Saint Leo loaded the bases with no one out with two singles and a
bobbled sac bunt. Nathanson got the next batter to pop up to center
field. However, the Lions were able to plate another insurance run
on a sacrifice fly by the first baseman Eric Spicer.
'
The
Tars tried to start up a comeback of their own in the top of the
eighth. Martoccio began the inning with a single to shallow center.
Hartman reached base on a throwing error by the second baseman to
put runners on first and second with no one out. Gene Howard
advanced the runners to second and third on a groundout to the
second baseman. Anthony Soto then drove in a run with a sacrifice
fly to right field, which scored Martoccio from third making it a
5-3 game. Steve Mannenbach followed with a clutch two out single
past the second baseman scoring Hartman from third to make the game
5-4.
'
The
Lions stirred up more trouble against the Rollins bullpen in the
bottom of the eighth. Rob Cloar came in to relieve Nathanson and
proceeded to walk two batters in the inning. Second baseman Eric
Mesa delivered a big blow with a RBI single to center to make it a
6-4 game. Cloar was able to shut the door from there as he struck
out the side.
'
The
Tars threatened to climb back in the game in the ninth. Stefano
Foggi began the inning by reaching base on the fourth hit batsmen
of the game for the Lions. The Lions responded by pulling Lowe in
favor of closer Matt Smith. Smith proceeded to shut down the rest
of the Tars line-up and the Lions pulled out a 6-4 win.
'
The
Lions and Tars will be back in action on Saturday April 8 for a
conference double-header beginning at 1 pm in Saint Leo , Florida
.
