Gordon Takes Two from AMCAT Baseball in Day Two of Action in Florida

AUBURNDALE, Fla.—The Anna Maria baseball team faced a regional foe on their second day of action at the RussMatt Central Florida Invitational, facing Gordon College in a Sunday doubleheader. Gordon was victorious in both games, 10-5 and 4-0.

The losses drop the AMCATS to 0-4 on the season, while Gordon improves to 3-1.

GAME ONE – GORDON 10, ANNA MARIA 5

Despite scoring twice in the top of the first inning, the AMCATS gave up nine unanswered runs over the first three innings to set the tone of the game.

The AMCATS added two more runs in the top of the fourth as they loaded the bases on two walks and single, setting up Nate Gray (Kingston, N.Y.) for the RBI hit-by-pitch. The next batter, Matthew Leahey (Rutland, Mass.), singled to center field to score Connor Lavin (Leicester, Mass.) before the inning ended on a double-play.

As a team, Anna Maria combined for six hits, led by Leahey with a 2-for-3 effort with two RBI and a run. Four different members of the team notched stolen bases, led by James Marcello (Mansfield, Mass.) with two.

Colin Fitzgerald (Worcester, Mass.) earned the start on the mound and gave up a quick two runs before he was relieved in the first inning by Camden Brown (Gardner, Mass.), who ultimately took the loss, shelling out seven hits and seven runs in 3.1 innings of work. Daniel Chambers (Westfield, Mass.) pitched well in relief, allowing just four hits and one run in 2.1 innings.

Gordon totaled 13 hits on the day and saw a 3-for-4 effort from centerfielder Addison Tarr.

Gordon pitcher Connor Rogotzke earned the victory, scattering four hits, four runs, six walks, and two strikeouts in 3.1 innings of work.

GAME TWO – GORDON 4, ANNA MARIA 0

Gordon pitcher Scott Hall earned the shutout victory in his first decision of the year, allowing just one hit and no walks while throwing 13 strikeouts in a complete seven-inning outing.

Anna Maria broke up the near-perfect game with a single by Gray that opened the bottom of the fourth inning. He then stole second and advanced to third on a groundout by Matt Elliot (Attleboro, Mass.), but a strikeout ended the inning, stranding the AMCATS' lone baserunner in the game.

AMCATS pitcher Tanner Jakola (Leominster, Mass.) also pitched a complete game, scattering six hits and four runs (two earned) while striking out four.

Tarr again led Gordon at the plate, batting 2-for-4 with an RBI and scoring twice. Dean Demers, Matt Moffat, Christian Hodge and Rogotzke all tallied a hit apiece.

WHAT'S NEXT

The AMCATS play a single game against Cairn on Monday at the RussMatt Central Florida Invitational.