Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. (February 9, 2008) – The Saint Leo University baseball team (3-3) split a pair of games on Saturday, falling to Lynn University (4-1) by a score of 7-4 in the conclusion of Friday’s rain-delayed contest, then defeating Nova Southeastern (4-3) by a 9-5 scoreline in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.
Aaron McLamar (Jr., Hudson, Fla.) led the way for the Lions, going a combined 3-for-7 with three RBI, three runs and a home run. Jonathan Duncan (Jr., Starke, Fla.) and T.J. Alonzo (Jr., Tampa, Fla.) also had three RBI apiece, while Alonzo hit his fourth and fifth home runs of the season, and has now homered in four straight contests.
Saint Leo and Lynn picked up their game in the top of the fourth inning with Lynn ahead 5-0, following the postponement due to heavy rains in Miami Shores, Fla. on Friday. The Knights added to their lead immediately following the restart, as Joe Arminio delivered and RBI single. The Lions got on the scoreboard in the bottom of the fourth when Alonzo connected on leadoff home run.
Saint Leo surrendered another run in the fifth, but rallied with a three-run sixth highlighted by McLamar’s two-run homer. However, the Lions were unable to rally any further down the stretch, as starter Ryan Clark (Sr., Tampa, Fla.) was saddled with the loss (0-2)
In the second game of the day, Saint Leo got off to a fast start in the first inning when Alonzo hit a two-run homer giving the Lions a 2-0 lead. The teams each scored runs in the third, and Saint Leo increased its lead to 4-2 with an RBI double by Duncan.
The Lions erupted for five runs in the top of the ninth with a pair of runs scoring on bases loaded walks. An RBI groundout by Dale Slimick (Jr., Sarasota, Fla.) was then followed by a two-run single by Duncan to give the Lions a 9-1 lead.
The Sharks rallied with four runs in the bottom of the ninth, but senior closer Matt Smith (Dade City, Fla.) came in to shut the door by recording the final out with the tying run on deck to secure his second save of the year. Reid Tilson (Jr., Brandon, Fla.) picked up the win on the hill, improving to 1-1 on the year.
The Lions will return home to face the University of West Florida tomorrow in a non-conference game at Southard Stadium, rounding out their busy weekend. First pitch is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.
