Cougars Drop a Pair to Florida Christian


	Cougar Baseball Recap Cougars Drop a Pair to Florida Christian written by Dave Parsons, Sports Information Director Game 1 Boxscore \| Game 2 Boxscore WINTER HAVEN, Fla. (3-17-2012) - The Mount Vernon Nazarene University baseball team dropped both games of a non-conference doubleheader on Saturday afternoon to Florida Christian College by the scores of 5-2 and 3-2 in action played at the Chain of Lakes Park. The day started off promising as the Cougars (8-6) jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first game in the bottom of the first inning. Sophomore outfielder Sean Fleming and junior shortstop Jordan Doherty each singled to lead off the frame. Fleming came home on a fielder's choice by senior first baseman Josh Roberts and Roberts came around on a throwing error. The Suns (14-14) took advantage of two errors by MVNU in the top of the second inning after the first two batters were retired and plated four unearned runs to go on top 4-2. The Cougars managed just three hits the rest of the game and they hit into three double plays as MVNU was unable to generate any offense. Meanwhile, Florida Christian tacked on an insurance run in the top of the third inning to post the 5-2 victory. Junior right-hander Darren Athey (0-1) took the loss for the Cougars as he allowed 12 hits, three walks, and five runs (only one earned) with four strikeouts over 6.2 innings. Sophomore right-hander Seth Eller struck out the one batter he faced. Hansel Lazo picked up the victory for the Suns as he scattered six hits, five walks, and two runs over 5.1 innings with two strikeouts. Kyle Harding notched a save by tossing 1.2 scoreless innings with one strikeout. Roberts led MVNU with two hits, while Harry Amadeo, Andres Cancio, Vince Tome, and Eric Santamaria each had two hits for Florida Christian. "We played like it was our third day of games in a row," said MVNU coach Keith Veale. "We broke down defensively in the second inning and that was the story of game one. Darren struggled early, but then found his rhythm as the game went along. We scored early and I really thought we were primed for a good offensive day. Boy was I wrong. We had way too many lazy fly balls and ran ourselves out of a couple innings which was costly." In the second game, the Suns scored single runs in the bottom of the first, second, and fourth innings to build a 3-0 lead. The damage could have been worse, but MVNU freshman lefty Cameron Juhasz was able to leave the bases loaded in the first and second innings. The score remained that way until the top of the sixth inning when the Cougars plated two runs with two outs to pull within 3-2. Eller and sophomore third baseman Jeff Stone each had an RBI single up the middle to produce the runs. MVNU threatened again with two outs in the top of the seventh inning with back-to-back singles by Fleming and Doherty, but the Cougars were unable to plate the tying run as they dropped their third straight game. Juhasz (1-1) took the complete game loss for MVNU as he scattered six hits, three walks, and three runs with three strikeouts over six innings. Anthony Garcia earned the win for the Suns as he allowed six hits and two runs over 5.2 innings with two strikeouts. Santamaria registered a save by scattering three hits and one walk over 1.1 scoreless innings with two strikeouts. "I thought we got a pretty good performance from Cam," said Veale. "He was fortunate to escape the first couple of innings with minimal damage. He kept a nice offensive team in check and gave us a chance. He only allowed three runs in his first collegiate start and that should have been good enough. We finally put something together in the sixth and seventh innings, but it was not to be." "This was a tough stretch for us," Veale added. "We need to develop better offensive consistency and build some confidence as we head into next week. The encouraging element is we have thrown some good innings." After a day off on Sunday, the Cougars will return to action on Monday with a doubleheader at Warner (Fla.) University. The first game is slated to start at 1 p.m.

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