Box Score ST. AUGUSTINE – Flagler College scored two runs in the fourth inning and added three more in the fifth to pull away and defeat Clearwater Christian College 7-3 in a non-conference baseball game Friday night at Drysdale Field.

Flagler improved to 4-2 on the season while Clearwater Christian fell to 0-5.

Clearwater Christian plated a run in the first, but Flagler rallied for a pair in the fourth. Andrew Brodbeck hit a grounder to Cougar second baseman Jake Reidy, with the bases loaded, who bobbled the ball and couldn't get an out anywhere. Chace Mitchell, the next batter, hit a line drive to left field, but Shaun Starnes, who was on second base at the time, had nearly made it third base when Mitchell's ball was caught. Starnes was thrown out at second base, trying to retreat, but Tyler Vanover scored from third on what proved to be a sacrifice fly.

In the fifth, the Saints scored a run on a wild pitch, an infield hit and a ground out.

The Cougars tallied one more run in the top of the sixth on an RBI single by Joel Felten.

The Saints added two more runs in the eighth for insurance.

Justin Ratte (1-0) tossed seven innings, scattered six hits and allowed one earned run. He struck out a career-high six batters and did not walk a batter. Alex Leighton closed the last two innings to pick up a save. He allowed two hits and struck out two batters.

Jay Laurienzo collected three singles, scored a run and drove in another. Brett Moreland singled twice, knocked in a run and scored a run while Vanover singled twice and scored a run.

Will Kirby took the loss on the hill for the Cougars. He tossed five innings and surrendered four hits and three earned runs, but struck out seven. Kirby did walk four batters and tossed two wild pitches.

Christopher Zweifach collected two singles and scored both runs for Clearwater Christian. Reidy singled twice. Felten knocked in both runs.

The same two teams meet in a doubleheader tomorrow (Feb. 9) at 1 p.m.

Flagler 7, Clearwater Christian 3 (Feb 08, 2013 at St. Augustine, Fla.)
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Clearwater Christian 100 001 001  -  3  8  3      (0-5)
Flagler............. 000 230 02X  -  7  8  3      (4-2)
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Pitchers: Clearwater Christian - Will Kirby; Taylor Hill(6); Garrett Johns(8) and Caleb Jordan. Flagler - Justin Ratte; Alex Leighton(8) and Chace Mitchell.
Win-Justin Ratte(1-0)  Save-Alex Leighton(1)  Loss-Will Kirby  T-2:23  A-91
Weather: 64; Fair; wind: 9 mph
2B CCC – Brandon Gonzalez.