WINTER HAVEN, Fla. – The College at Brockport Baseball team rallied around the quality start by junior pitcher Austin Spindler taking a 9-3 win from Springfield at the Chain of Lakes Stadium – the former spring training complex of the Cleveland Indians housing Baseball Hall of Famers Bob Feller and Lou Boudreau.
Brockport (9-3 Overall) overcame a 2-0 disadvantage to hand the Pride its first loss of the season, scoring eight runs in the bottom of the sixth inning. Spindler found himself in early trouble in both the first and second innings but escaped with only two runs scored utilizing two big double plays spun by middle infielders Brett Sanders and Greg Ruddy.
Spindler settled into a groove, throwing four consecutive scoreless innings through the sixth inning, but Brockport still trailed 2-0 when Josh Martin strode to the plate to lead off the bottom half of the inning.
Martin soared a ball into shallow center field that fell into the Bermuda triangle as he wisely legged out a double with both of the Pride's middle infielders making unsuccessful attempts to track down the ball.
The hero of the inning proved to be Paul Ludden. His first at-bat of the inning he sent a jolt into the baseball sending it deep into the spacious left centerfield territory one-hopping the wall scoring Martin in the process. The run scoring double chased Springfield's starting pitcher from the contest.
The inning was far from over though as Dane Cala drew a four pitch walk from the reliever. Right fielder Eli Carrera bunted to advance both runners before pinch hitter Dave Battel struck out swinging but the fastball eluded the catcher, allowing him to reach first base and Ludden to score.
Ruddy, batting leadoff on the day sent the first pitch he saw screaming towards the second baseman as the hard hop eluded him, knocking in Cala which gave Brockport a 3-2 lead. The Pride brought in a new pitcher as Sanders walked in four pitches as well.
Three hole man Burghardt was hit by a pitch scoring Battel in the process. Cleanup hitter Chris Davis was down 0-2 in the count before he sent a ball through the left side of the infield scoring two more for the Golden Eagles. The Pride sent their fourth pitcher to the mound following Davis' hit.
One batter later, Ludden stepped up to the plate knocking in his 15th and 16th runs batted in on the season which are tied for most in the State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC). This time Ludden drove a ball to deep left center just out of reach from the diving fielder putting Brockport ahead 8-2.
Kyle Perez relieved Spindler, tossing two solid innings. He allowed three hits while striking out two. Carrera scored the final run of the game in the bottom half of the seventh earning a base on balls and advancing to third on an errant pickoff attempt. Jack Wallwork hit a sacrifice fly to center for his third RBI on the season.
Jimmy Lovelass worked a scoreless ninth inning to finish the game. Brockport worked an opportune offense scoring nine runs on nine hits, while staying patient and earning eight base on balls. Ludden and Martin were the only Golden Eagles to close the game out with multiple hits as both Sanders and Burghardt walked twice apiece. In addition to the two double plays Brockport turned, Carrera made multiple diving catches in the outfield as the Golden Eagles played strong defensively on the day.
Brockport plays UMass-Boston next in another morning game at 10 a.m. tomorrow. Be sure to stay up to date on all your Golden Eagle scores and awards by following @BportAthletics on Twitter and by liking the "Brockport Golden Eagles" Facebook page.
