WINTER PARK , Fla. (May 6, 2006) The Rollins baseball team split a
double header against the Lynn Fighting Knights, losing the first
game 11-8, but bouncing back to win the rubber game of the series,
8-0 in their final home game of the season. The Tars came up short
on another come back attempt in the first game, as they couldn't
hold on to leads of 5-4 and 8-7. Junior starter David Nathanson
shut down the Lynn offense in the second game en route to his first
complete game shutout of the season. The Tars took the series
against the Knights 2-1. It was the first SSC series win for the
Tars since their late March series win over Florida Tech.
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Lynn
jumped on the Tars right out of the gate for the second day in row
in the first game. The Knights plated three runs in the top half of
the first inning, and hoped to run away early. The game would
switch sides five times before Lynn was able to pull it out with
four big runs in the top of the eighth. The Tars held a 5-4
advantage after four innings and also pushed ahead 8-7 in the
seventh. However, the bullpen was not able to hold on to the lead
and the Tars dropped the game 11-8.
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The
Tars offense tallied nine hits in the ball game, and were led by
their lead-off man Gary Martoccio. The second baseman was 3-4 on
the afternoon with two runs scored, a walk, a three run homer, and
four RBI. Junior Gene Howard and seniors Brent Magnuson and Rob
Cloar all had two hits in the game.
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The
Tars took control of the second game from the get go. Starter David
Nathanson got in a groove early and never let the Lynn hitters get
comfortable at the plate. Nathanson went all seven innings giving
up just four hits and walking two while striking out six en route
to a complete game shutout. The Tars used two big innings to down
the Knights. Rollins got two runs in the bottom of the third, and
they put Lynn away with a six run fifth.
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Seniors Brent Magnuson and Rob Cloar were the stars on the
offensive side for the Tars. Magnuson and Cloar both played their
final game in Alfond Stadium on Saturday, as the Tars celebrated
senior day. Cloar went 2-3 with a run scored and three RBI, while
Magnuson went 2-3 with two runs scored and a stolen base. Ryan
McKenzie added a single and a run and Jesse More contributed a
three RBI stand up triple.
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The Tars will finish off
their season next week on the road with trips to Florida Southern
and Florida Gulf Coast . Rollins will travel to Lakeland to battle
the Mocs on Wednesday, which is scheduled for a 7:00 pm start. Then
they will make the trek down to Florida Gulf Coast for a pair of
games on Friday and Saturday.
