sfoggi posted on July 05, 2011 22:51
WINTER HAVEN, Fla. (July 5, 2011) – The Winter Haven Loggerheads captured an 8-2 victory over the US9 Armed Forces Baseball Team Tuesday night.
The festivities at Chain of Lakes Park were underway a little earlier than usual for today’s US9 Armed Forces Baseball game. Besides the usual presentation of colors and the singing of the national anthem, a special presentation was held for US9’s Assistant Coach David Monge-Rivera. The Retired US Army Veteran was presented with a signed US9 bat from his players as a token of gratitude and a symbol of patriotism.
After the first ceremonial pitch was thrown and all was done, the Loggerheads took an early 4-0 lead in the top of the first. Winter Haven was the visiting team in today’s game as Chain of Lakes Park has been the training home of the US9 Armed Forces Baseball team for the past three years.
The Loggerheads (8-12) scored in all but four frames against the US9 team with runs in the fourth through sixth innings and another run in the eighth. Winter Haven outhit their opponent 12-8, but committed two errors on the night.
In his first start with Winter Haven, right-hander J.J. McClaughlin (Pensacola State) appeared in two full innings recording a team-high five strikeouts, giving up one run on two hits. McClaughlin was credited with the win.
The US9 Armed Forces Baseball team scored a run in the first off of McClaughlin and another in the third.
The Loggerheads bullpen combined for seven innings and six hits, giving up one run.
Bumped up from his usual spot in the lineup, Rice’s Daniel Gonzales led-off for the Loggerheads and was 3-for-4 with a run and an RBI. Jonathan Hall (Trinity), Cody Slaughter (Brown), and Drew Leonard (Millsaps College) each got two hits off the US9 Armed Forces team.
US9 starter Trey Holland (ADAN-Navy) worked eight innings on the bump and recorded a game-high 12 punchouts, while issuing out three walks. Holland was charged with the loss.
The Loggerheads will return to their usual Florida League slate as they face the Orlando Freedom Wednesday, July 6 at Orel Hershiser Field. First pitch is set for 7 p.m.