ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The Eckerd baseball team split a Saturday doubleheader against Flagler at the Turley Athletic Complex, winning the rubber game to take a series victory for the third straight weekend.
Flagler used a seven-run fourth in the opening game for a 10-5 win, while EC returned the favor with a five-run second in the finale and held off a late Saints rally for a 9-7 victory.
HOW IT ENDED
Game 1
Final: Flagler 10, Eckerd 5
WP: Pugliese (3-2) Â
LP: Alonzo (4-4) Â
HR: Moore 2 (8), Peck (6), DiPuglia (4)
Game 2
Final: Eckerd 9, Flagler 7
WP: Allen (4-2) Â
LP: Girgis (4-2) Â
Sv: Iervolino (2) Â
HR: Leavitt, Jr. (7)
Records: Eckerd 18-17, Flagler 27-12
KEY MOMENTS
Game 1
- Entering the fourth inning tied 2-2, Flagler blew the game open with a seven-run inning. Â Jimmy Peck and Steven DiPuglia opened the inning with solo home runs and, after a strikeout, Flagler put together five straight hits on the way to five more runs in the frame before Eckerd was able to escape.
- The Tritons got a run back in the bottom of the fourth on an RBI single by Bryan Torres, but Louis Pugliese and Nick Martinez held EC scoreless over the next four innings.
- After the first two batters were retired in the bottom of the ninth, Eckerd strung together three straight hits to score a run. Â Another scored on an error before Flagler's Kyle Hansen recorded the final out.
Game 2
- It was Eckerd's turn to go on top early thanks to a five-run second inning, highlighted by a three-run home run by Keith Leavitt, Jr. Â The Tritons scored again in the third on an RBI single by Tim Mira for a 6-0 lead.
- Meanwhile, Robin Allen cruised through five shutout innings before an error finally allowed Flagler to score in the sixth.
- The Tritons plated three more runs in the bottom of the sixth for a 9-1 lead as five straight runners reached base on four singles and a walk. Â Mitch Calandra and Garrett Hiott each had RBI hits while Shane LeMaster drove in the final run on a sacrifice fly.
- As it turned out, Eckerd needed nearly every one of those runs as Flagler rallied late. Â The Saints scored one in the seventh and four in the eighth, heading into the ninth trailing 9-6.
- In the top of the ninth, Flagler's first three batters reached base capped by Peck's RBI single, prompting a call to the bullpen to bring in Jack Iervolino. Â Inheriting runners on the corners, Iervolino got two huge strikeouts before coaxing a pop-up to end the game.
NOTES AND NUMBERS
- With his win in the finale, Allen has earned victories in his last three starts. Â In those starts, he carries a 3.21 ERA with 23 strikeouts in 19-2/3 innings.
- Nick Conti extended his hitting streak to eight games after going 1-for-4 in the opener and 2-for-5 in the finale.
- Leavitt, Jr. has homered in three of his last four games and driven in runs in his last five.
- Hiott drew four walks in the doubleheader, pushing his season total to 28 which ranks second in the conference.
- The Tritons have won eight of their last 10 games.
UP NEXT
The Tritons are home again next weekend host Embry-Riddle in a three-game series beginning on Friday with a 3:00 doubleheader.