MELBOURNE, Fla. (March 23, 2007) ' In just its
second road game of the season, the Rollins baseball team defeated
Sunshine State Conference opponent Florida Tech 5-2 at
Seminick-Hall Field on Friday afternoon. The Tars improved to 20-10
overall and 5-2 in conference play, while the Panthers dropped to
19-10, 4-3.
Senior starter David Nathanson (7-0) remained undefeated,
picking up his seventh win in eight starts while going the distance
for the Tars. The right-hander gave up just two runs through nine
innings, allowing eight hits and no walks while striking out six.
Junior left fielder Mike Crane and junior first baseman Stefano
Foggi led the Tars at the plate, with Crane going 2-5 with two runs
scored and one RBI and Foggi hitting 2-4 with two RBI.
FIT starter Jay Crouse (4-2) was credited with the loss after
allowing five runs, four earned, in seven and one third innings.
Center fielder Nick Brennan (2-4, one run, one RBI) and shortstop
Steve Condotta (3-4, one RBI) led the Panthers on offense. FIT
reliever Jody Danca struck out four in just one and two thirds
innings to finish the game on the mound.
Rollins got on the board in the first when Crane reached base on
an error by FIT left fielder Trevor Hearl and scored on a single to
right field by Foggi. The Tars scored two more times in the fifth;
junior third baseman Gary Martoccio led off the inning with a
hit-by-pitch, and sophomore catcher Eugene Martinez followed with a
single through the left side. Senior shortstop Ryan McKenzie bunted
the runners to third, and Martoccio scored on an infield single by
sophomore right fielder Jesse More. After a walk by junior center
fielder Corey Whiting, Crane brought the second run home on a
fielder's choice.
FIT came back in the bottom of the fifth, scoring two more to
narrow Rollins' lead to two. Second baseman JD Davidson led off the
inning with a hit-by-pitch and advanced to second on a groundout.
Three consecutive singles by Brennan, right fielder Brendan Twomey,
and Condotta brought the runs in, but a diving catch by Crane in
the left field gap ended the inning and the rally. The Tars added
their final two runs in the eighth on another RBI single by Foggi
and a bases loaded walk by Martoccio.
Rollins will return to Florida Tech on Saturday, March 24 at
noon for the series-ending doubleheader. For the latest on all
Rollins athletics, go to www.RollinsSports.com.
