WINTER PARK, Fla. -
The Rollins baseball team used a six-run fifth inning to spark a
9-3 victory over the visiting St. Thomas Bobcats, Friday evening in
non-conference action at Alfond Stadium.
Rollins (5-4) finished with 12 hits as shortstop Justin
Yount, Taylor Ferguson, Joey Manning and Ben
Hewett all finished with two hits. First baseman Kevin Mager and
Hewett led the way with two RBIs each.
"We played very well and got the hits we needed when guys were in
scoring position," head coach Jon Sjogren said. "Scott
Chase sparked the offensive attack with a home run and then
everyone did their part. We had hard outs and didn't give any at
bats away."
The Bobcats (4-7) countered with seven hits, as Ruy Rodriguez led
the way with two hits and three RBIs.
On the mound, Stephen Hiscock (1-1) gave
the Tars another solid pitching performance allowing four hits and
one run over 6.2 innings. The Naugatuck, Conn., native had a
one-hit shutout heading into the seventh and finished with six
strikeouts.
"Stephen Hiscock was
outstanding and his development as a pitcher over the past year and
half has been spectacular," Sjogren added. "He had great command
of his pitches today."
Danny Clark finished the
seventh and went into the eighth and allowed two runs and four
walks in his
appearance. Robbie Pagano closed out the
eighth and completed the ninth without giving up an earned run.
For St. Thomas, Andres Ibarz (0-1) received the loss in five
innings of work after surrendering eight hits and six runs with a
pair of walks. William Mizrahi and William Leon came in for
relief and finished the game for the Bobcats.
Both teams were silenced in the first four innings before the Tars
broke out in the fifth with six runs. Chase provided the spark
with a solo shot to right center. After a Hewett single, Josh Band
advanced him to second on a sacrifice bunt. Yount singled and
stole second to place runners on second and third before Ferguson
hit a RBI-single.
Leading 2-0, Tony
Brunetti reached on a walk, before Kevin
Mager recorded a two-run RBI single. A Luker sacrifice fly and
a Manning double down the right field line capped the fifth inning
scoring.
After allowing a run in the seventh, the Tars added three insurance
runs in the seventh to secure the win. The Bobcats trimmed the Tars
lead to six with two runs in the eighth, but that would be as close
they would get.
Rollins and St. Thomas return to the diamond for games two and
three of the three-game series, Saturday, Feb. 20 beginning at 1
p.m.
