Box Score
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – Juniors
Mike Vavasis and
Tyler Abadal keyed the offense with home runs as the Eckerd College baseball program fell victim to a streaking Ave Maria University squad on Monday night, 10-5.
The Tritons (5-4, 0-0 SSC) held the Gyrenes (12-4, 3-0 TSC) scoreless for the final three innings as Ave Maria scored half of their runs with a five spot in the sixth inning.
Ave Maria pounded out 11 hits and took advantage of four errors on the infield by the Tritons. EC scored in three consecutive innings to make a late push, but ran out of time down the stretch.
The Gyrenes jumped out with a two-run first frame off EC starter
David Horsfield, though both runs ended up unearned after a misplayed grounder led to one run and Trace McDermott lined an RBI single after the inning should have ended.
Horsfield recorded one out in the third inning in his second start of the spring, allowing five runs (two earned), while walking three and striking out one.
A wild sequence headlined the five-run sixth beginning with a hard comebacker up the mound. After the ball glanced off the body of
Richard Cruz-Sanchez, the deflection rolled near the outfield grass and a throwing error across the diamond ensued as
Chris Hanson went to retrieve it.
Two runs scored on the play and the Gyrenes would close out the scoring with an RBI single.
The third baseman McDermott and shortstop Alex Sanchez took away several hits from the Tritons with a handful of defensive gems on the left side of the infield.
Vavasis unloaded on an 0-1 offering from the winning pitcher Keith Ryan to get the Tritons on the board in the bottom of the fifth. His solo blast was deposited over the left field fence as he connected for his first homer of the year.
Abadal followed suit with a two-run shot on a 2-2 pitch in the sixth, scoring freshman
Rowdy Andrews who began the inning with a walk.
The Tritons added two more runs in the seventh on an RBI groundout by freshman
Jake O'Rourke followed by a passed ball that plated another.
Vavasis and junior
Lincoln Dunham both singled sharply to help get the inning going.
Cruz-Sanchez and senior
Joe Clagg combined to throw 5 2/3 innings in relief of Horsfield to end the game.
McDermott finished 3-for-5 with two RBI and designated hitter Kolbe Andrade also enjoyed a three-hit night. Ryan earned the win despite allowing three runs in his three innings of work in relief of Stephen Grove (3.0 IP, 0 R, 2 K).
The Tritons break into Sunshine State Conference play beginning with a three-game homestand against Florida Tech. Friday's scheduled contest at 7 p.m. is followed by a Saturday doubleheader with the first game starting at 1 p.m.
