Blowfish Crushed By Florence For 2nd Straight Night

Florence's Will Chandler slides home safely after breaking

up Blowfish catcher Shawn Glover's attempt to tag him out

(COURTESY: Florence Morning News)

      In 2009, the Blowfish started off the season with one win and seven losses against the Florence Red Wolves. Columbia was outscored 43-14 in those contests.

      After a getting shut out by the Red Wolves Thursday and getting hit hard again on Friday night, it appears things may be headed the same way in 2010.

      Mac Doyle (Wofford) hit a home run while going 4-for-4 at the plate and Ethan Santora (Mercyhurst) drove in three runs as Florence (3-0) crushed Columbia 10-2.

      It was the second consecutive strong outing for a Red Wolves pitcher as Cash Collins (Wofford, 1-0) lasted eight innings, giving up only two runs on six hits while not surrendering a walk. Columbia (0-2) starter Thomas Little (South Carolina 0-1) had a rough night in the loss, giving up six runs, five earned, off ten hits in four innings.

      The Blowfish didn't waste any time preventing the shutout in the first inning. Dadynoel Lorenzo (Georgia Perimeter) reached base on a fielder's choice, moved to second on Branfy Arias's (Tusculum) base hit, and scored on an RBI single by Bryan Hill (Union) to put Columbia up early 1-0.

      Florence responded in the bottom of the second. William Chandler (Florence Darlington Tech) reached on an error by Blowfish second baseman Ryan McCormick (Millersville). Austin Smetana (Francis Marion) then followed with a single to left field. Left fielder Gabe Grammer (Presbyterian) threw the ball home, but Chandler collided with Columbia catcher Shawn Glover (Erskine) to break up the play and tie the game 1-1.

      The Blowfish had an answer of their own in the top of third. Lorenzo doubled with one out and came around to score on Hill's single to give Columbia the lead back 2-1.

      But Florence took control in the bottom half of the third. Tyler Cappelman (Francis Marion) grounded a ball towards Lorenzo at shortstop. Lorenzo tracked the ball down, but slipped while trying to make the throw, allowing Cappelman to reach with an infield single. Cappelman then stole second and moved to third on Doyle's single. Trey Hernandez (TX A&M – CC) grounded into a fielder's choice to bring in Cappelman and tie the game 2-2.

      But the Red Wolves weren't finished. After Little walked Santora and hit Smetana with a pitch to load the bases, Carlos Ramirez (Wingate) cleared them with a three-run double to make it 5-2 Florence. An inning later, Cappelman singled and advanced to second on an errant throw by McCormick. He then scored on Santora's RBI single to extend the Red Wolves' lead, 6-2.

      Florence then tore apart Columbia reliever Evan Brown (Newberry) in the sixth.  The first four Florence batters recorded hits against Brown, including a solo home run by Doyle, and a two-run shot by Santora to score Hernandez. Later in the inning, a wild throw to first by Blowfish third baseman Will Callaway (Appalachian St) allowed Chandler to score from second to make it 10-2 Florence.

      NOTES: The Red Wolves have outscored Columbia 17-2 in their first two meetings… With the exception of Evan Brown, the Blowfish bullpen was solid, giving up no runs and no hits with only one walk and five strikeouts in four innings… The Blowfish return home to friendly territory Saturday, as they host the Outer Banks Daredevils at 7:05 pm. It will be the first meeting between the teams since 2008… Kids can play catch with the Blowfish players on the field from 6:10 to 6:40.