The Saints had five different batters record an RBI and
Drew Courtwright drove in two on the day as the St. Lawrence University baseball team battled to a doubleheader split with Hamilton on Thursday afternoon in Davenport, Fla.
St. Lawrence moved to 6-2 with the split, while Hamilton went to 4-3.
Liam Reiner starred in game one pitching two and one-third innings giving up just one hit, striking out three, and securing his first win of the year.
Andrew Circelli singled home
Nicholas Butler in game one to give the Saints the three runs they needed to get past the Continentals.
In game two, D. Courtwright drove in Circelli in the top of the second for his second RBI of the doubleheader
"Today was a great test for us," said head coach
Kenny Collins "We learned a lot about the things we need to work on: timely hitting, making mid-game adjustments, and not giving up free bases. We have a quick turnaround tomorrow for our last doubleheader and need to make adjustments if we want to leave Florida feeling good. "
Game 1: St. Lawrence 4, Hamilton 2
Game one was not looking good for the Saints through the first few innings as Jackson Sattinger fanned six of the first seven St. Lawrence batters.
However, the bottom of the order got things going in the bottom of the third as
Cristian Forgione and
Ryan Courtwright both singled with one out. After a line out,
Chris Watson singled to left field to score Forgione, then himself and R. Courtwright advanced into scoring position on an error. The Scarlet and Brown would have to settle for a 1-1 score after Sattinger struck out
Michael Goretti to stop a bases loaded threat.
Hamilton shortly after took a 2-1 lead and carried it into the bottom of the sixth, where David Galvao was brought to the hill in relief of fellow bullpen arm Michael Ghiorsi.
Galvao hit C. Watson to start the inning, then gave up a double to Butler in the next at-bat. Things only got worse for the pitcher, who balked in C. Watson and advanced Butler to third. Circelli sent Butler home with a single two at-bats later to gain the 3-2 lead. D. Courtwright earned an RBI of his own later in the half-inning singling home Circelli, who stole second to advance into scoring position.
Michael Watson, who started on the bump for St. Lawrence, pitched four and two-thirds innings giving up six hits, two runs, and two walks. He was relieved by Reiner, who pitched two and one-thirds innings giving up just one hit, striking out three, and securing his first win of the year.
Game 2: St. Lawrence 3, Hamilton 7
The Continentals jumped out to an early 3-0 lead in game three scoring three runs in the bottom of the first inning. Sattinger, Harrast, and Kinne all drove in runs in the barrage.
The Scarlet and Brown got on the board in the next half-inning when D. Courtwright singled Circelli home from second after he reached on a walk and advanced to second on a wild pitch.
Hamilton would tack on two more runs in the bottom of the second as they drove in runs via a sacrifice fly and a double to left field.
It looked as if the Saints were about to hang a big number on the board in the top of the fourth as R. Courtwright reached first on a hit by pitch with two down.
Brian Comerford was also hit and C. Watson was walked to load the bases. Butler secured the second straight walk and fourth straight free ride to first to bring in a run. The Continentals pulled their starting pitcher and their reliever ended the threat with a strikeout.
A Slinger home run in the bottom of the fourth gave him his third RBI of the game and his team a 7-2 lead.
Forgione drove a run in during the top of the fifth, but that was as close as the Saints got the rest of the way.
Brett Parker, who started on the mound, pitched four innings giving up seven hits and seven runs, four of which were unearned.
Brenden O'Neil came out of the bullpen for two innings of work giving up just one hit in his seven batters faced.
Next up:
The Scarlet and Brown are back in action tomorrow for their final games of their Spring Break trip to Florida. The Saints will take on SUNY Fredonia in a doubleheader in Auburndale, Fla. with game one scheduled for a 9:00 a.m. start and game two tentatively scheduled for noon.
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