WINTER PARK, Fla. (March 16, 2008) ' After
scoring three runs in the second inning of Sunday's Sunshine State
Conference game at Alfond Stadium on Sunday afternoon, the Rollins
baseball team was shut out through the next seven innings in a 4-3
loss to Florida Tech.' The Panthers won two of three in the weekend
series and improved to 20-7-1 overall and 5-4 in conference play,
dropping the Tars to 20-8-1, 2-4.
Rollins saw its only runs come in the second, starting with a
one-out double by senior second baseman Gary Martoccio.' Junior
right fielder Jesse More then grounded one inside the third base
line for the second double of the inning, scoring Martoccio from
second.' Sophomore catcher Ben Hewett reached on a walk, and on a
double steal attempt by Hewett and More, Florida Tech catcher Kevin
Villa overthrew the third baseman, allowing More to score and
Hewett to reach third base.' Senior first baseman Stefano Foggi
drove in the third and final run on a hard hit ball through the
right side, scoring Hewett from third.
Sophomore right-hander Marc Hewett got the start for the Tars,
and he allowed just one run through seven innings before the
Panthers' three-run rally in the eighth.' FIT loaded the bases with
no outs, prompting Rollins to bring in sophomore left-hander Danny
Clark.' After a strikeout of the first batter, Clark allowed
back-to-back singles to score the first two runs.' A bases loaded
walk by third baseman Sam Palace brought home the go-ahead run,
putting Hewett (4-2) in line for the loss.' Sophomore right-hander
Robbie Pagano came in and got out of the jam in the eighth and
finished the game for the Tars.
Panthers reliever Jake Koch (4-2) earned the win, pitching one
and two third scoreless innings, while Brett Backman pitched the
final one and one third for his fifth save of the season.' FIT
starter Mike Piazza went six innings, allowing three runs on four
hits, four walks, and six strikeouts.
Rollins was limited to a season-low four hits on the afternoon.'
Senior third baseman Gene Howard (19-game hitting streak) and
center fielder Corey Whiting (26-game hitting streak) each went
without a hit, ending their streaks.' Martoccio led the Tars at the
plate, hitting 1-2 with a double, one run, and two walks.
The Tars will face Tiffin on Wednesday, March 19 at 3:00 p.m.
back at Alfond Stadium in a non-conference contest.' Fans can
listen to all the action live on the Citizens Bank of Florida Tars
Sports Network at www.RollinsSports.tv.
