Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 ST. AUGUSTINE – The Flagler College baseball team split two non-conference games on Saturday (Feb. 3). Flagler opened with a 7-5 win over Limestone College before falling to the University of Alabama-Huntsville 11-9 after the Chargers plated five runs in the ninth.

Flagler is now 2-1 on the season while Limestone is winless in two games this weekend and Alabama-Huntsville is now 2-1.

In the opener, a two-run sixth inning broke open a one-run game and provided enough insurance for a win over Limestone. Mitch Okey hit a one-out single and took second base on a balk by Limestone pitcher Ryan Cliff (0-1). Justin McKenna ripped a double down the left field line which plated Okey and Flagler took a 6-4 lead. McKenna would come around and score on Joe Post's single.

Chris Patrick (1-0) tossed five innings in his debut with Flagler. He scattered four hits and allowed three runs while striking out three batters. Jake Brandenberger mopped up the final four innings to earn his first save of the year. He allowed seven hits, but just one run and collected two strikeouts.

Jake Hanson singled twice and scored a run while Jay Laurienzo also singled twice, scored a run and drove in another. Brett Moreland tripled, hit a sacrifice fly and scored a run.

KJ McAllister collected four singles, stole a base and scored a run. Chad Balderman singled twice, tripled, scored two runs and knocked in another. Cooper Gunter came off the bench to single twice and score a run for Limestone.

Cliff tossed 5 1/3 innings, surrendered six hits and three earned runs. He was victimized by a defense that allowed four errors which led to four unearned runs.

Flagler 7, Limestone 5 (Feb 02, 2013 at St. Augustine, Fla.)
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Limestone........... 010 120 010  -  5 11  4      (0-2)
Flagler............. 203 002 00X  -  7  9  1      (2-0)
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Battery: Limestone - Ryan Cliff; Josh Cesario(6) and Zach Hawley; Brady Stafford(8). Flagler - Chris Patrick; Jake Brandenberger(6) and Mitchell.
Win-Chris Patrick(1-0)  Save-Jake Brandenberger(1)  Loss-Ryan Cliff(0-1)  T-2:35  A-195
2B FLG – Justin McKenna.
3B LC – Chad Balderman.
3B FLG – Brett Moreland
Weather: 58; sunny; wind: trace
 
In the second game, all looked well for the Saints as they sported a 9-3 lead in the fifth inning. But it was a three-run sixth and a five-run ninth by Alabama-Huntsville that erased a comfortable Flagler lead.

Justin Riddle belted a three-run inside-the-park home run in the sixth to get the Chargers going.

Austin Sanders led off the ninth when he hit a fly ball to right field which was dropped and that's when the flood gates opened. Sanders scampered to second on the miscue and the next batter, Jud Sherrill was walked. He was replaced by a pinch runner and Chase Handley followed with a laser shot down the right field line to plate a run and UAH trailed by a run, 9-8. With first base open, Flagler reliever Steven Fleming (0-1) walked pinch hitter Brandon Lawing to load the bases. The number nine hitter in the lineup, Blake Massey, who had already doubled and tripled in the game, belted a 2-1 pitch from Flagler's fourth pitcher of the afternoon, Michael Hanke, over the left field wall for a grand slam.

Shaun Starnes led off the bottom of the ninth for Flagler by reaching on a fielding error by the Alabama-Huntsville shortstop. He was quickly erased on a ground out and Luke Mould (1-0) completed his lengthy relief appearance by striking out the last two batters.

Vincent Kortbowi led the Chargers with three singles, a double and he scored a run. Sherrill went 3-for-4 with a double and two RBI. But Massey had the big day at the plate as he finished 3-for-4 and was a single shy of hitting for the cycle. He drove in five runs and scored twice.

Mould tossed 4 2/3 innings of scoreless relief and allowed only one hit and struck out nine batters.

Post went 3-for-5 with a double, scored two runs and he drove in another. Nick Kranick singled, tripled, drove in two runs and scored a run.

Fleming tossed two innings and allowed only two hits but was tagged for three earned runs. Justin Ratte started and hurled five innings. He scattered 10 hits and allowed three runs.

Flagler closes out its weekend round-robin against Limestone at approximately 3:30 p.m. tomorrow (Feb. 3). That game will follow the noon contest between Alabama-Huntsville and Limestone.

Ala.-Huntsville 11, Flagler 9 (Feb 02, 2013 at St. Augustine, Fla.)
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Ala.-Huntsville..... 010 023 005  - 11 16  6      (2-1)
Flagler............. 004 230 000  -  9  9  1      (2-1)
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Battery: Ala.-Huntsville - Alex Aultman; Luke Mould(5) and Justin Riddle. Flagler - Justin Ratte; Daniel Stewart(6); Steven Fleming(7); Michael Hanke(9) and Matt Morningstar.
Win-Luke Mould(1-0)  Loss-Steven Fleming(0-1)  T-3:23  A-256
2B UAH – Austin Sanders; Jud Sherrill; Blake Masasey.
2B FLG – Joe Post; Brett Moreland; Tyler Vanover.
3B UAH – Vincent Kortbowi; Blake Massey.
3B FLG – Nick Kranick.
HR UAH - Justin Riddle (1); Blake Massey (1).