The Rollins baseball team (22-13-1, 4-7 SSC) will take a short
break from Sunshine State Conference play this week when it goes on
the road to face Florida Tech (25-11-1, 9-6 SSC) in a
non-conference game on Wednesday and starts an away-home series
with independent Flagler (19-14) on Friday.' The Tars have
struggled recently, losing seven of their last 10 games, and they
will look to get back on the right track before returning to SSC
play next Monday at Saint Leo (22-13, 5-6 SSC).
ROLLINS BASEBALL ON THE AIR: The Citizens Bank
of Florida Tars Sports Network is scheduled to air live audio of
all 56 games of the 2008 Rollins baseball schedule live on www.RollinsSports.tv. Fans can
also follow the games online with live stats on the Tars' home on
the Web, www.RollinsSports.com.
IN THE RANKINGS: Rollins, currently sitting in
eighth place in the SSC, failed to make the NCBWA South Region
Poll's top 10 for the second week in a row.' Florida Tech,
previously ranked as high as No. 2 in the region, comes in this
week at No. 4.' The Panthers hold onto third place in the
conference but have struggled recently, losing three of their last
four.
LAST TIME OUT: Rollins won the opening game
over Florida Southern last weekend 7-4 behind Mario Lombardo's
eighth win, but the Tars were outscored 22-5 in the doubleheader to
lose the series.' Florida Tech lost two of three to Barry over the
weekend, with the one win coming in Game One of Saturday's
doubleheader thanks to a solid start by Mike Piazza.' Flagler split
a doubleheader against Georgia Southwestern last week, with the win
coming on a game-winning hit by Sam Bridgeman.
SCOUTING THE TARS: Despite its recent
struggles, the Rollins lineup still is one of the most dangerous in
the SSC.' Third baseman Gene Howard (.418 AVG, 11 2B, 35 R), left
fielder Mike Crane (.395 AVG, 4 HR, 37 RBI), and designated hitter
Bryan Bennett (.404 AVG, 3 HR, 33 RBI) are the top threats, and
center fielder Corey Whiting (.368 AVG, 42 R, 31 SB) is the
rally-starter at the top of the lineup.' Right-hander Mario
Lombardo (8-0, 1.79 ERA) carries the rotation, and closer Robbie
Pagano (1.40 ERA, 3 SV) has developed into a reliable and durable
bullpen arm.
SCOUTING THE PANTHERS: Infielder Mitch Saum
(.408 AVG, 4 HR, 26 RBI) has been one of the top hitters in the
SSC, and infielder JD Davidson (.463 OBP, 6 HR, 26 R) has also been
a key to the Florida Tech lineup.' Righthander Matt Schurig (6-0,
2.17) is turning heads in his freshman season to lead the Panthers
rotation.
SCOUTING THE SAINTS: First baseman Kenny Ray
(.357 AVG, 3 HR, 19 SB) and designated hitter Billy Johnson (.326
AVG, 4 HR, .558 SLG) are the big bats in the Flagler lineup.'
Left-hander Austin Donmoyer (4-2, 3.66 ERA) leads a solid Saints
rotation, and closer Brandon Rapoza (1.42 ERA, 4 SV) is having a
fine season.
LAST MEETING: Flagler took two of three from
Rollins in last year's series.' The Saints routed Rollins in St.
Augustine 16-3 in the Friday night game, while the teams split on
Saturday back in Winter Park.' Rollins and FIT met in Winter Park
for their SSC series earlier this season, with the Panthers taking
two of three.' Mario Lombardo had a complete game shutout in the
Tars' lone win.
LOOKING AHEAD: Rollins returns to SSC play next
week with a Monday game at Saint Leo to make up the previously
rained-out game.' The Tars will then travel south to face Nova
Southeastern for their weekend series.
TARS TIDBITS: Corey Whiting leads all Division
II players with 31 stolen bases ... Gene Howard's .418 average
leads all SSC hitters ... Mario Lombardo is one of four pitchers in
the country with eight or more wins; Mount Olive's Ryan Schlecht
stands at the top with nine victories ... Mike Crane leads the Tars
with a .390 average and 11 RBI in SSC games ' Gary Martoccio
currenty ranks eighth in Division II with 32 walks ... in five SSC
appearances, Robbie Pagano has allowed just two hits and an
opponents' average of .111 ' the Tars have lost just one game in
which they have out-hit the opponent ' Rollins is hitting .444 as a
team with the bases loaded ' Rollins has outscored its opponents
56-32 and has hit .391 in the first inning ' Rollins is 10-3-1 when
hitting at least one homerun ' when the Tars hold their opponent to
nine runs or less, they are 21-6-1.
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