MCLA sweeps Gordon to close Florida Trip at 5-4

Auburndale, FL- The MCLA Baseball team held off Gordon College in the opening game of a doubleheader 10-9, before completing the sweep in the nightcap by a score of 8-5 to end their Florida trip at 5-4 overall. 

In the opener, the Trailblazers erupted for seven runs in the second inning to take command.  The inning was highlighted by three straight run scoring singles by Alon Willing, Chase Preite, and Derek Lescarbeau.  Rory Slattery capped off the inning with a towering two run homer to give MCLA a 7-0 lead.

Gordon would rally quickly though, pushing across four runs to cut the margin to 7-4 after three innings.  The Scots collected two more in the fourth to pull within a run at 7-6 before MCLA extended the lead once again in the fourth.

Willing singled to lead off the frame and came around to score on Mike Sullivan's RBI hit.  Joe Duncan would come up big with a two out, two run single giving MCLA a 10-6 advantage.

Gordon would add one in the fifth and two in the sixth before MCLA's Daniel Gaines came in relief to shut the door.  He recorded the final five outs in order, including a strikeout to earn the save.  DJ Clark earned the win in relief.

In the nightcap, MCLA fell behind 2-0 after one frame before having another outbreak in the top of the second.  The Trailblazers scored four times in the inning highlighted by Mike Mancivalano's two run double and Preite's single.

MCLA would score three more in third when Slattery led off with a triple, eventually coming home on Duncan's RBI double.  Jared Gersch drove two more in on a double of his own.

Ross Miner shut down the Gordon offense, tossing the first five innings.  He allowed only three hits while striking out six.  Slattery came on to throw the final two innings to complete the sweep.

Slattery and Preite each had three hits on the day, while Duncan drove in three runs. 

MCLA returns north to face Clark University on Tuesday in Worcester.