ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – An impressive display of wooden-bat power and contact was the spectacle at the Turley Athletic Complex as the Eckerd College matched up against the 2011 World Cup Championship squad, the Netherlands National Team on Wednesday.
The Tritons fell by a score of 12-1 to the Dutch, but as part of 2012 St. Petersburg International Spring Baseball Series, it was a privilege for the team to be part of the tour.
All proceeds from the game were graciously donated to the St. Petersburg Fallen Officers Fund and several law enforcement representatives were on hand to be honored prior.
Hero of last year's contest between EC and the Netherlands by breaking a 5-5 tie in the eighth inning, cleanup hitter Bryan Engelhardt returned to slug a home run in the fifth inning and had another run-scoring hit in the first frame.
Yurendell DeCaster came through with a three-run pinch-hit homer to deep left field in the sixth frame and Dwayne Kemp roped a two-run double to the right-center gap in a busy seventh inning. The Dutch also drew a bases-loaded walk and added another run on a sacrifice fly.
The combination of starter Dennis Burgersdijk, Tim Roodenburg, Leon Boyd, Kyle Ward and an unknown reliever (#29), converged on a one-hit effort against the Tritons' bats.
Senior
Joey LaRose spoiled the no-hit bid in the bottom of the ninth inning with a flare to the left-center gap off Boyd. EC's lone tally in the run column came after
Anthony Pucci drew a walk and a wild pitch scored the runner from third on ball four.
Freshman Mike Abraham reached base twice on a walk in the fifth and was hit by a pitch in the seventh.
By committee, the Eckerd pitching staff was charged with the dubious task of slowing down some of the world's greatest hitters, but the Tritons showed poise and refused to get rattled on the mound.
After
Robbie Nabers got the start on the mound,
Alex Menendez struck out two hitters and made a stab in self-defense on a rocket up the middle to end the second inning.
Joe McLemore worked a perfect third frame and
Joe Clagg escaped a bases-loaded jam in the top of the fifth by punching out center fielder Shaldimar Danntji swinging.
The Tritons return to the Turley Athletic Complex on Friday night to kick off a three-game home series and host its Sunshine State Conference home opener against Florida Southern College. Friday's nine-inning affair under the lights will begin at 7 p.m.
Live stats and live video/audio will be streamed on EckerdTritons.com.
