FIGHTING TIGER BASEBALL SWEEPS ST.CLAIR 5-4 & 6-5 IN FLORIDA

The warm weather of Florida continues to agree with the SUNY Cobleskill baseball team as less than 24 hours after their upset victory over nationally ranked Itasca Community College from Grand Rapids, MN the Fighting Tigers continued to prove a formidable opponent sweeping NJCAA Division II program St. Clair Community College from Port Huron, MI by scores of 5-4 and 6-5. The Fighting Tigers improve to 3-1 overall on the year their best start to any season the team has made a spring break trip.

Freshman second baseman Matt Rutherford, Valhalla, NY, Valhalla High School, gave Cobleskill a 5-1 lead in on a two-out single in the third inning from which point senior right hander Dan Beck, Rotterdam, NY, Schalmont High School, held the lead striking out five and walking four. Despite only posting two hits in the contest, the Fighting Tigers used walks, a St. Clair error, aggressive base running and nine stolen bases to put the game in the win column. 

In the second game freshman outfielder Tom Weiner, Montrose, NY, Hendrick Hudson High School, went two-for-three with a double and three RBI to key a four run second inning rally which erased a 2-0 deficit and put the Orange & Black on the path to victory. Freshman infielder Matt Greene, Albany, NY, Colonie High School, also went 2-for-3 on the day with an RBI.

Once again the Fighting Tiger pitching staff was strong enough to hold the lead as freshman Joe Staunch, Freehold, NY, Greenville High School, struck out five walked only two and threw 12 groundball outs to earn his first collegiate victory.

“In the first game it definitely was all about small ball as we got only two hits but were to work them for some walks and use nine stolen bases to get the job done,” said Fighting Tiger Head Coach Bill Makarowski. “In the second game we did a good job of putting the ball in play offensively and playing sound fundamental baseball. Our pitching staff continued to do a good job today by throwing strikes and getting them to beat the ball into the ground. Anytime you beat a scholarship program it’s an important win so we’re very excited but now we’ve got to get ready for tomorrow and nine innings against Brandywine.”  

The Fighting Tigers will return to action on Wednesday with a solo game versus Penn State University-Brandywine on Tuesday March 11th at 11:00 AM.