Winter Haven, FL: The MCLA Trailblazers defeated the Ramapo College Roadrunners, 9-6, this morning at the Lake Myrtle complex in Auburndale, Florida.
The Roadrunners jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the top of the first, when
Dan Moreno doubled in
Mark Ruggiero, who singled and stole second base one batter earlier. Moreno drove in
Jordan Greenberg in the top of the third inning with a sacrifice fly, to double the lead, 2-0. The Trailblazers tied it in the bottom half of the frame, highlighted by Eddie George’s RBI single. Ramapo snagged the lead again, 3-2, in the fifth, thanks to another Moreno double, this time driving in
Joseph Della Serra.
Roadrunner starter
Tim Hannes was in and out of trouble through the first four innings, and cruised through the first two outs in the top of the fifth before running into difficulty. Hannes gave up four straight hits, and three runs, before being relieved by
Matt Jenisch, who induced an inning ending ground out to second. The game would stay at 5-3 until the 7th, when
Joey Cacchiola knocked in Della Serra, who singled to start the inning. MCLA got that run right back in the bottom half of the inning thanks to a Joe Parillo one out double scoring John Ripepi. The Trailblazers would score three more in the bottom of the eighth, to push the lead to five, 9-4.
The Roadrunners tried to mount a rally in the top of the 9th, as freshman
Christian Spurr doubled home two runs in his first college at bat, making the lead 9-6. However the rally fizzled, and the Roadrunners were left on the wrong side of the 9-6 decision.
Ruggiero had three hits for the Roadrunners, and was on base four times. Moreno had three hits of his own, and drove in three runs.
Ramapo returns to action tomorrow, taking on Fitchburg State in a doubleheader at Chain O’Lakes park.