WINTER HAVEN, FL - The Cabrini baseball team mounted an eighth inning rally to force extra innings, but ultimately fell in the 11th inning to Hanover College by a 6-5 final.
The Blue and White offense totaled 15 hits, but struggled to capitalize as they left a total of 22 runners on base. Juniors
Steven Priest and
Sean Bernardo tallied a team high three hits apiece, while classmates
Mack McKisson,
Brian Protesto, senior
Shaun Stackhouse and freshman
Christian Strickland finished with two hits each. McKisson, Bernardo, and senior
Joe Aurite drove in the Cavs' three RBI's.
Sophomore
Jonathan Baker was saddled with the tough luck loss after taking over for freshman starter
Alex Pierznik (5.0IP, 6H, 5ER, 5BB). The Upper Chichester native tossed 6.1 strong innings, and allowed just three hits and one earned, while striking out a season high seven batters.
Cabrini started fast as they pushed across a first inning run thanks to an RBI groundout from McKisson and doubled their lead in the second inning off a sac fly from Aurite.
The Panthers would get a run back in the second, however following an RBI triple off the bat of Drew Kelly and take a 4-2 lead in the bottom of the third courtesy of a Charlie Burton two RBI double and a Jake Schaefer RBI single.
After trading runs in the fourth and sixth inning, the Cavs mounted an eighth inning rally to even things at five all. Stricklan led things off with a sharp single to left and was promptly advanced to second following a single from Protesto. With two on and nobody out, the Cavs took advantage of an untimely Hanover error that allowed both Protesto and Strickland to come around and score. Hanover pitcher Charlie Joyce would escape further trouble, however after collecting a strikeout, pickoff and groundout to end the inning.
A trio of scoreless frames ensued until Schaefer walked it off for the Panthers in the bottom of the 12th via a single to left.
Hanover's Zach Chapman collected the win after a scoreless 12th inning.
Following today's game, the Cavaliers move to 3-3 overall. They will look to get back in the win column on Thursday, February 27th when they face Castleton University at 1pm.
