WINTER PARK, Fla. –
A four-run first inning highlighted by John
Avanzino's two-run double to left center, guided the Rollins
College Baseball team to a decisive 9-2 victory over the Flagler
Saints, Friday evening at Alfond Stadium.
The Manhasset, N.Y., native, Avanzino, finished 2-for-4 with a
game-best three RBIs.
Following Avanzino was Taylor Ferguson, who went 3-for-4 with a
pair of RBIs and two runs scored. The center fielder continues to
lead the team with a .452 average and recorded his fourth home run
of the season, when he blasted a solo shot in the second
inning.
Catcher Ben Hewett also recorded multiple hits with a
2-for-3 performance, recording two RBIs and two runs scored in the
effort.
For the Tars (19-12), Stephen Hiscock (5-3) went seven innings
and allowed six hits and two earned runs. The Naugatuck, Conn.,
native struck out nine Flagler (11-21) batters in the performance
as he started the game with six scoreless innings. He also struck
out the side in the second frame and lowered his season ERA to
4.50 in the win.
Senior Marty Cornish filled in the final two innings for
Rollins and gave up two hits, while holding Flagler scoreless.
Cornish has appeared in seven games and has an ERA of 1.08.
For the Saints, Jonny Gaines (3-3) suffered the loss after pitching
three innings and allowing nine runs off eight hits. John Goryl
closed the game in the final five innings and held the Tars to just
one hit.
Rollins capitalized on three Flagler errors and out-hit the Saints
9-8. The Saints also stranded seven batters to the Tars'
three.
In the first inning, back-to-back singles from Ferguson and More
led off the game to put runners on the corners. Right fielder Bryan
Bennett slapped a grounder to short, which was mishandled to
reach base on the error. After a double steal and a strike out,
Martinez hit into a fielder's choice to keep two runners on.
Hewett added the second run of the game with a single down the
right field line to leave runners on the corner. Avanzino ripped
his fifth double of the season on the ensuing at bat, which allowed
Hewett to score from first to culminate the inning.
Leading 4-0, the Tars added to its lead with Ferguson's solo shot.
With a 0-1 count, Ferguson crushed the Gaines pitch to left
field.
In the third, Rollins tacked on four more runs to secure the
victory. The Tars tallied three hits and utilized two Saint's
errors in the inning to jump out to a 9-0 lead.
The Saints were held to just two hits before scoring two runs off
four hits in the seventh to cut the deficit to 9-2, but it would be
the closest Flagler would get.
Rollins and the Saints continue their three-game series, Saturday,
March 28 at 1 p.m. when the teams travel to Flagler for the
doubleheader.
