SAINT LEO, Fla. (March 21, 2008) ' Rollins
jumped out to a 9-1 lead through the first three innings and
cruised to a 12-6 win at No. 30 Saint Leo in Sunshine State
Conference action on Friday night. The Tars improved to 21-9-1
overall and 3-4 in SSC play, dropping the Lions to 21-9, 4-3.
Senior left fielder Mike Crane (3-4, four runs, two RBI) and
senior third baseman Gene Howard (3-5, double, three runs) led the
Rollins lineup with three hits apiece. Senior first baseman Stefano
Foggi also performed well at the plate, hitting 2-5 with a double
and three RBI.
Senior right-hander Mario Lombardo (7-0) remained undefeated,
lasting eight innings and earning the victory for the Tars.
Lombardo struck out nine through eight innings, allowing two
unearned runs on three hits and three walks.
The Tars got started in the first with four straight singles to
open the inning. Crane and senior second baseman Gary Martoccio
brought in runs on singles, and junior designated hitter Bryan
Bennett brought in one on a bases loaded hit-by-pitch. Crane
singled home another run in the second, and he was followed by
junior right fielder Jesse More bringing in two more on a single of
his own. Bennett doubled in two more in the third, giving the Tars
their dominant 9-1 lead.
SLU starter Carter Clements (5-2) was knocked out of the game in
the second inning, allowing seven runs, four earned, on nine hits
in the losing effort.
Rollins will finish the SSC series at Saint Leo with a
doubleheader on Saturday, March 22 starting at 1:00 p.m. Fans can
listen to all the action live on the Citizens Bank of Florida Tars
Sports Network at www.RollinsSports.tv.
