WINTER PARK, Fla. (March 30, 2007) ' In its
return to Sunshine State Conference play, the Rollins baseball team
fell to Saint Leo 15-5 at Alfond Stadium on Friday night.' The Tars
record dropped to 20-14 overall and 5-5 in conference play, while
the Lions improved to 19-15, 4-6.
Rollins starter David Nathanson (7-1) picked up his first loss
of the year, as he surrendered eight runs, six earned, on 12 hits
in five innings.' Junior left fielder Mike Crane went 3-5 in the
losing effort, scoring one run and driving in one.' The Tars also
received two hits each from junior first baseman Stefano Foggi,
junior third baseman Gary Martoccio, and sophomore designated
hitter Anthony Soto.
The Saint Leo lineup was consistent from top-to-bottom, as every
batter recorded at least one hit.' Shortstop Jerry Gonzalez (3-5,
double, homerun, three runs, two RBI), first baseman Eric Spicer
(4-6, homerun, two runs, three RBI), and left fielder Sean Van
Guilder (3-6, double, two runs) excelled in the first three spots
in the lineup.' Ryan Clark (7-2) went the distance for Saint Leo,
allowing five runs, three earned, while striking out 10 in nine
innings.
Lions center fielder Matt Prowant singled home the first run of
the game in the top of the second, and Saint Leo added three more
in the next inning.' The Lions came back with three more in the
fourth, highlighted by a two-run homerun by Spicer, to open up a
7-0 lead.' Rollins came back with two runs in the fifth and sixth
innings, but a seven-run inning by Saint Leo in the seventh put the
game out of reach.
Rollins and Saint Leo will return to Alfond Stadium on Saturday,
March 31 for a doubleheader starting at 1:00 p.m.' Fans can listen
to all the action live on the Tars Sports Network at www.RollinsSports.com.
