ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. –
Junior Tim
Griffin tossed a two-hitter in game two of Saturday's
doubleheader against Flagler College to avenge the Saints
come-from-behind victory in the opener at Flagler Stadium.
In the opener, the Saints (12-22) scored four runs in the bottom of
the ninth to score seven unanswered runs to capture the 7-6 win,
before Rollins (20-13) answered with a 1-0 victory in the
finale.
The Tars registered their third shutout of the season as Griffin
(5-1) earned the complete-game victory going seven innings allowing
two hits, a pair of walks and fanned six. The Jacksonville, Fla.,
native lowered his ERA to 3.28 and increased his strike out count
to a team-high 61.
Starter Marc
Hewett was dealt the no decision during his six innings of work
in Saturday's opener. He surrendered six hits and allowed three
runs in the effort. Relief pitcher Alex
Venegas (1-1) suffered the loss in his 2.2 innings after giving
up the final four runs on seven hits. Robbie
Pagano came in the ninth and pitched to one batter and allowed
the game-winning hit.
Rollins built a 6-0 lead in the first game after scoring three runs
in the third and fifth innings. In the third frame with two outs,
senior Jesse
More started the rally with a single down the left field
line. Right fielder Bryan
Bennett drew a walk and scored on the next play when Luker
roped a two-run RBI double to left. Designated hitter Eugene
Martinez continued with an RBI-single to right to cap the
inning.
After scoring three m ore runs in the fifth, two from a Martinez
double and the other from a Ben
Hewett double, the Saints made their run. A two-out triple
from left fielder Jordan McClure ended Flagler's drought in the
bottom of the fifth, before they posted two more runs in the
seventh.
Trailing 6-3 into the ninth, the Saints mounted their comeback.
With two outs, the Saints rattled off six straight hits to score
four runs to capture the win.
The winning pitcher for Flagler in the first game was J.W. Deighton
(2-2) who closed out the final 4.1 innings surrendering three hits
and struck out three without allowing a run. Adam Jaudon started
the game for the Saints, but was pulled after pitching 4.2 innings
allowing six runs on eight hits.
Rollins responded in the second game by its stellar defense and
pitching. Griffin surrendered his first base hit in the game in
the first inning and would hold the Saints hit-less until the ninth
when they again reached on a single.
The Tars' lone run in the game came from the bat of Martinez. With
an out in the fourth, a Luker double placed him into scoring
position for Martinez to single to left center to score the
eventual game-winning run.
Martinez finished Saturday with four hits and four RBis to lead the
team. Martinez now has 19 RBIs and increased his batting
percentage to .329. In the first game, the Miami, Fla., native was
3-for-5 with three RBIs and a runs scored.
Luker scored three runs and tallied three hits to lead the team.
In both games he finished with three hits and two RBIs. He's now
batting .370 with 39 runs scored and 40 RBIs to lead the team.
Rollins out-scored the Saints 9-2, Friday night to claim the series
2-1. The Tars have won three out of it their last four games
including a victory over 16th-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes, 4-1.
The Tars return to Sunshine State Conference action, Friday, April
3 when it hosts Nova Southeastern at 6 p.m.
