sfoggi posted on June 04, 2011 21:55
WINTER HAVEN, Fla. (June 4, 2011) – The Winter Haven Loggerheads closed out Opening Weekend with an 8-4 loss to the Sanford River Rats on Saturday night at Chain of Lakes Field.
In a bit of a struggle, the Loggerheads (1-1) were kept scoreless through the first three frames before they were able to put up a pair of runs in the fourth. Freshman Sam Halpern (Barry) put the Loggerheads up on the board as he got the team’s first knock of the game on a triple to left center. The leftfielder then scored on a Kyle Campbell (Stetson) RBI single. Campbell then scored Winter Haven’s second run as he advanced to second on a passed ball and scored on a costly Sanford error by the shortstop.
Down 6-2 in the fifth inning, Winter Haven managed to slow down the Rats (1-1) threat and kept Sanford scoreless in the sixth and seventh. The Loggerheads managed to take a run back in the bottom of the sixth as Chris Pagliarulo (Boston College) scored on a two-out single after reaching first by way of walk.
Winter Haven would score once more in the bottom of the eighth, but not before giving up another two runs to the Sanford River Rats. Winter Haven scattered five hits, giving up 11 to the River Rats.
Third baseman Kyle Campbell (Stetson) led the Loggerheads offensively as he was 2-for-4 with two RBIs and run scored. Michael Heller (Florida) and Sam Halpern (Barry) each had a 1-for-4 plate appearance with a run scored, while Heller added two stolen bases.
Starting pitcher Matt Fishman (Quincy) was charged with the loss in six innings of work, while Sanford starter Brandon Cowan got the winning nod with five innings on the mound.
Winter Haven will be back in action Sunday (June 5) afternoon as the Loggerheads hit the road to Leesburg, Fla. to face the Lightening. First pitch is slated for 5 p.m.