Saturday, May 02, 2009

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (May 2, 2009) - A six-run sixth inning for Florida Gulf Coast proved to be the difference as the ETSU baseball team fell to the Eagles on Saturday at Cardinal Park, 12-9.

 

With the loss, the Bucs drop to 23-22 overall and 9-15 in conference play, while FGCU improves to 29-16 overall and 19-5 in league play.

 

Freshman Bo Reeder was tabbed with the loss after giving up six runs on seven hits in 2.2 innings of work. FGCU reliever Craig Crumbly quieted the ETSU offense limiting the Bucs to three runs on seven hits in 5.0 innings tallying five strikeouts.

 

The Bucs were led offensively by first baseman Paul Hoilman (Johnson City, Tenn.) and catcher Derek Trent (Kingsport, Tenn.) as they both were 3-for-5 on the day as Hoilman had a double and a home run, while Trent drove in two. Senior Darren Caldwell (Spartanburg, S.C) also had a good day going 2-for-2 in his only two career at bats.

 

The Eagles took a 2-0 lead in the top of the first on a bases loaded two-run single by right fielder Josh Chester.

 

ETSU answered in the bottom of the first as centerfielder Jacob Fabry (Chattanooga, Tenn.) came in to score on a RBI single by third baseman Bo Reeder (Cookeville, Tenn.), and Trent drove in left fielder Troy Mendez (Roswell, Ga.) on a ground out to first to tie the game at 2-all.

 

FGCU retook the lead in the top of the third on a RBI groundout by catcher Robert Greene and a two-run single Brad Roberts to put the Eagles in front 5-2.

 

Hoilman sent his 11^th home run of the season over the fence in right for a solo shot in the bottom of the fourth to cut the FGCU lead to 5-3. Later in the inning, Danny Petro (Atlanta, Ga.) crushed a three-run home run over the fence in left center to give the Bucs a 6-5 lead.

 

Third baseman Tim Roberson tied the game at 6-all in the top of the sixth as he homered to right. In the next at bat, Zach Maxfield gave the Eagles a 7-6 lead on a solo home run to right center. FGCU added four more runs in the inning to take an 11-6 lead.

 

Florida Gulf Coast added an insurance run in the top of the seventh on a RBI single by left fielder Joe Guarnaccia to extend the Eagles lead to 12-6.

 

ETSU narrowed the gap in the bottom of the seventh scoring three runs on a RBI single by Trent and a two-run home run by second baseman Ben Allen (Kingsport, Tenn.) to bring the score to 12-9. Mendez increased his current hit streak to 20 games in the inning as he doubled to right center.

 

In the bottom of the ninth, the Bucs loaded the bases with no outs, but a great play by Mikel Alvarez to double up Hoilman at second ended the ETSU rally making the final 12-9.

 

The Bucs are back in action Friday at 7 p.m. as they head to DeLand, Fla. to take on conference opponent Stetson in a three-game series. Please visit www.ETSUBucs.com for more information on ETSU baseball and all other Buccaneer athletic news.

 

FGCU 12, ETSU 9 (May 2, 2009 at Johnson City, Tenn.)
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FGCU............ 203  006  100  - 12   14     0   (29-16, 19-5 A-Sun)

ETSU............ 200  400  300   -  9    16     1   (23-22, 9-15 A-Sun)

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Pitchers: ETSU - Josh Gonzaga; Bo Reeder (4); Darren Caldwell (6)

FGCU - Richie Erath; Craig Crumbly (4); Derek Shaw (9)

Win - Craig Crumbly (5-4) Loss - Bo Reeder (4-4) Save - Derek Shaw (5)

Home Runs - ETSU - Paul Hoilman (11); Danny Petro (10); Ben Allen (4)

FGCU - Tim Roberson (17); Zach Maxfield (15)