Offense stays hot in DH sweep of UMPI
Auburndale, FL-- The MCLA Baseball team has finally seemed to hit their offensive stride. The Trailblazers posted 22 runs over the span of two games today as they rolled past the UMPI Owls 14-3 in game one before taking game two by a score of 8-4.
The wins made it three straight for the Trailblazers after an off day and they are now 5-6 heading into tomorrow's Florida trip finale against UM-Farmington.
Game One: MCLA 14, UMPI 3
The Trailblazers made quick work in the opener as they scored in every frame except the sixth. MCLA put up three runs in the first as Ty Mazzeo had the key hit, a two run single, for the early 3-0 lead. They continued the onslaught in the second inning.
After loading the bases with nobody out, Trailblazer Randy Adams stepped into the box. He lofted a towering fly ball to left that easily cleared the fence for a Grand Slam and MCLA led 7-0. The home run was his second in two days.
An Adams double in the third inning added another and then MCLA eventually led 14-0 with key hits from Sam Larabee and Austin Sloan.
The offensive support was plenty for Trailblazer starter Nathan Kumm. He earned his second win of the season going the first five innings, allowing just two hits, and striking out 5 Owls.
Adams paced the offense with a 2-2 showing and 5 RBI's. Mazzeo and Larabee added two hits each as the Trailblazers racked up 13 on the afternoon.
Game Two: MCLA 8, UMPI 4
Game two was much tighter as both starting pitchers were throwing well. MCLA led just 2-1 after four innings of play as Trailblazer starter Aidan Brett and UMPI hurler Kaiden Crowley kept the offenses in check.
MCLA would finally extend the lead in the fifth inning as tjey took advantage of a couple of UMPI miscues. Robert Correia executed a squeeze bunt to extend the lead to 3-1 and Isaiah Mack added an RBI to increase the lead to 4-1. Another Owl miscue made it 5-1 thru five innings of play.
Trailblazer Patrick Sheehan would come up clutch with a two run single in the sixth inning to make it 7-1 before UMPI scored three times in the seventh to make it interesting. MCLA reliever Isaiah Tucker would induce a flyout to right field to close things out and give the Trailblazers a needed sweep.
MCLA outhit UMPI 10-7 in game two. Robinson Guerrero-Baez went 3-4 to pace the offense while Austin Rachiele and Adams added two safeties as well.
Trailblazer starting pitcher Brett earned the win to improve to 2-0 on the season. He went the first five innings and struck out six Owls.