WINTER PARK, Fla. (April 5, 2008) ' In its
second straight rain-shortened game in as many days, the Rollins
baseball team overpowered visiting Flagler 13-3 through eight
innings at Alfond Stadium on Saturday afternoon.' The Tars improved
to 23-15-1 with the win, dropping the Saints to 20-16.' The game
was originally scheduled as a doubleheader, and a make-up date for
the second game has not been announced.
The Tars flexed their muscles, hitting three homeruns and five
doubles with a new-look lineup.' Senior center fielder Corey
Whiting led the way, hitting two solo homeruns and a double in four
at bats, scoring three runs and driving in two.' The Winter Park
native also walked once and stole his 33rd base of the season.'
Sophomore right fielder Phil Hendricks hit the third Rollins
homerun, a two-run shot to right field just before the rain delay.'
Each of the first six batters in the Rollins lineup scored two or
more runs, and junior designated hitter Bryan Bennett joined
Hendricks and Howard with a multi-RBI game.
Sophomore right-hander Marc Hewett (5-4) lasted seven and two
thirds innings in the win, matching his career high with 10
strikeouts while allowing three runs on six hits and four walks.'
Sophomore reliever Robbie Pagano entered the game with two runners
on the eighth, and he struck out his only batter to pick up his
fourth save of the season.
Flagler starter Kyle Cancellieri (3-4) was credited with the
loss, pitching four-plus innings with six runs, five earned, on
five hits and five walks.
The Tars and Saints fired back and forth through the opening
innings, as each team held a one-run lead early on.' Rollins broke
a 2-2 tie in the fifth with four more runs.' Senior left fielder
Mike Crane drove in the first on a single to left center, and
Hendricks brought the second run in on a force play.' A Flagler
error on a stolen base attempt by Hendricks brought in the third
run of the inning, and senior first baseman Stefano Foggi doubled
into the left field gap to bring in the fourth.
Rollins added insurance runs in the seventh and eighth.'
Sophomore catcher Ben Hewett singled home a run in the seventh, and
the Tars put six more on the board in the eighth.' Whiting led off
the inning with his second homerun of the game, and Bennett drove
in two on a single.' An additional run came home on a wild pitch,
and Hendricks capped off the rally with his two-run blast to right
field through the pouring rain.
Rollins will have Sunday off before traveling to face Saint Leo
on the road on Monday, April 7 in a Sunshine State Conference game
at 7:00 p.m.' Fans can listen to all the action live on the
Citizens Bank of Florida Tars Sports Network at www.RollinsSports.tv.