WINTER PARK, Fla. (February 9, 2007) ' Led by a
strong performance on the mound by senior right-hander David
Nathanson (2-0), the Rollins baseball team defeated NAIA opponent
St. Thomas 12-3 in the first game of a weekend series at Alfond
Stadium.' The Tars improved to 3-2, and the Bobcats dropped their
first game of the year and now stand at 2-1.
Nathanson gave up a first inning homerun to St. Thomas
rightfielder Angel Hernandez, but he then settled down to face the
minimum 15 hitters through the next five innings.' The senior
right-hander struck out seven and walked just one in his eight
innings of work.' He gave up five hits and one additional unearned
run.' Hernandez reached on an error to lead off the seventh inning,
advanced to second base on a single by leftfielder Aliercy Nunez,
and scored on an RBI single by first baseman Daniel DiFabio.'
Nathanson won his second game in as many starts, and he lowered his
ERA to 2.45 for the season.
The Tars were led on offense by second baseman Gary Martoccio,
leftfielder Jesse More, and centerfielder Corey Whiting.' Martoccio
put Rollins on the board in the second inning with a blast over the
right field wall, scoring More and giving the Tars the 2-1 lead.'
The junior leadoff man also drove in More in the sixth with a
single to center field, and he finished the day 2-3 with two runs
scored and three RBI.' Whiting led the Tars with three hits,
including an RBI double in the sixth.' More scored three runs and
went 2-3.
Bobcats starter Eddie Machin lasted four and one third innings,
giving up six runs, five earned, on six hits and five walks.'
Reliever Osmar Chaviano surrendered three runs on five hits and one
walk in his one inning of work, and Phil Lucas pitched the final
two and third innings for St. Thomas, allowing three runs on four
hits and two walks.' Rollins left-hander Bobby Coster relieved
Nathanson in the ninth and finished the game for the Tars, striking
out one and allowing one unearned run on one hit.
Both teams will return to Alfond Stadium on Saturday, February
10 for a doubleheader starting at 1:00 p.m.
