WINTER PARK, Fla. (February 27, 2007) ' The
Rollins baseball team fell to first-ranked University of Tampa 13-6
in a non-conference game on Tuesday night at Alfond Stadium.' The
loss is the first for the Tars after six straight victories, and
their record now stands at 10-5.' The Spartans improved to 14-2
overall.
Junior first baseman Stefano Foggi, sophomore catcher Anthony
Soto, and junior center fielder Corey Whiting each had two hits for
Rollins, and Soto scored two runs.' Junior left fielder Mike Crane
and junior third baseman Gary Martoccio both had two RBI for the
Tars as well.' Freshman reliever Alex Venegas (0-1) was credited
with the loss after giving up four runs in three and one third
innings.
Tampa was led by third baseman Craig Corrado (3-4, triple, three
runs), left fielder Troy Ferguson (2-5, triple, one run, two RBI),
center fielder Junior Mejia (3-4, double, two runs, one RBI),
shortstop Roberto Mena (1-3, triple, two runs, two RBI), and right
fielder Ryan Williams (1-2, homerun, two runs, two RBI).' Scott
Chapman (3-0) picked up the win out of the bullpen, allowing one
run in one and one third innings, and closer Jonathan Holt pitched
two innings for his seventh save of the year, allowing one run on
three hits.
Rollins scored four runs in the first inning off Tampa starter
John Wiedenbauer.' Martoccio led off the inning with a walk, and
Whiting followed with a double.' Crane drove in two runs with a
single up the middle to get the Tars on the board.' A double steal
attempt by Crane and Soto turned into another run when catcher
Chris Rosenbaum threw the ball away, and the fourth run came in on
a fielding error by Mena on a groundball by freshman designated
hitter Phil Hendricks.
Tampa came back with one run in the third off Rollins starter
Danny Clark, and they returned with three more in the fourth to
even the score at four.' The Spartans then poured on with four more
runs in the seventh and five in the ninth, pushing the game out of
striking distance for the Tars.' Rollins chipped away with a run in
the seventh and another in the eighth, but ultimately the Tars did
not rally enough for the win.
Rollins will return to Alfond Stadium on Saturday, March 3 for a
home doubleheader against non-conference opponent Florida Gulf
Coast at 3:00 p.m.
