AUBURNDALE, Fla.—The College at Brockport kicked off spring training with a thriller at Lake Myrtle Sports Park, losing 5-4 to the University of Mount Union. The loss puts the Golden Eagles at 3-3 on the season, while the Raiders move to 8-2 on the year.
The Green and Gold fell behind early in the game, allowing three runs on three hits in the first inning.
Avery Brooks registered a hit in the first and
Liam O'Leary in the second, but no runs were scored. The offense turned it on in the third inning starting with a
Justin Valentino single. Brooks' second hit of the game was a double that moved Valentino to third, before a
Tom Kretzler two-bagger down the right field line scored them both.
Anthony Eaton knocked in the tying run with a double of his own.
Mark Giallanzo got the start in today's match-up and hit his groove after the first inning. He retired six of next eight batters that he faced before another run scored in the top of the fourth. Giallanzo gave his team a chance by retiring six straight between the fifth and sixth inning. He finished the day pitching 6.1 innings, allowing five runs (four earned) on eight hits.
Eaton recorded another RBI on the day, after a hard-hit ball forced an error by the third basemen and allowed Brooks to score. Brooks doubled down the left field line earlier in the inning. The game was tied 4-4 after six innings.
Maddux Minton had his number called out of the bullpen in the sixth inning and forced a fielder's choice that scored a run, before forcing a ground out that got the team out of the inning. Minton made quick work of the opposition in the top of the eighth, striking out three of the four batters faced. Unfortunately, the Green and Gold could not drive in the tying run and fell 5-4.
Brooks finished the day 4-for-5 at the plate, scoring two runs. Both Ketzler and Eaton ended the game with two RBI each.
Brockport gets back to the field tomorrow, March 11 when the play a double header against Suffolk University. The first game is slated to start at 9:45 a.m. in Lake Myrtle Sports Park.
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