ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. – Flagler College pounded out 22 hits and scored 30 runs in a doubleheader sweep of Fairmont State University Tuesday afternoon at Drysdale Field. Flagler won the opener 15-1 and took the second game 15-6.
Flagler evened its overall record to 11-11 while Fairmont State fell to 9-6.
In the opener, Flagler scored all 15 of its runs in three innings. The Saints scored five runs in the second, third and fourth innings.
Jabe Molinaro had the big hit in the second inning when he hit a bases clearing triple off of the base of the left-center field wall.
Nick Oberg belted a grand slam down the left field line that hit the shed just beyond the wall. That gave Flagler a 9-0 lead. Oberg added a three-run blast over the left field wall in the fourth.
Luke Cooksey (1-0) tossed five scoreless innings to pick up his first collegiate win. He struck out three batters.
Oberg went 2-for-2 with the two home runs and he had seven runs batted in to go along with three runs scored. Molinaro went 2-for-3 with a double, a triple, three runs scored and three RBI.
Jake Hathaway collected a pair of singles, scored two runs and knocked in another.
Kolin McMillen hit a double and drove in two runs.
Adam Meeker and Austin Norman each had two singles for the Fighting Falcons.
Marty Bonifant (1-1) tossed one and one-third innings, allowed three hits and four earned runs. Four other pitchers for Fairmont State saw time on the hill.
In game two, the Saints scored 13 runs in the first two innings to cruise to the victory.
James Jean hit a two-run homer and Molinaro added a two-run single as Flagler sent 11 men to the plate and scored six runs.
In the second inning, the Saints sent 12 batters to the plate and scored seven runs on four hits. With runners on second and third,
Bryce Evans hit a grounder up the middle that was fielded by the Fairmont State shortstop who threw the ball away allowing two runs to score and Evans took second base.
Dustin Dye (2-3) tossed four innings, allowed seven hits, one earned run and fanned three.
Ryan Ashworth,
Nick Angelastro and
MacLain Larson also pitched for the Saints.
Molinaro collected two singles, three RBI and he scored a run. Oberg went 2-for-4 with a double, two RBI and a runs scored. McMillen went 2-for-3 with a double, two RBI and he scored run. Evans singled twice, scored two runs and he drove in two.
Nic Rush (1-2) lasted two-thirds of an inning, allowed four hits and two earned runs. Another four pitchers threw for Fairmont State.
Josh Wine collected two singles and scored a run for the Fighting Falcons. Norman went hit a double, a home run and collected two RBI. Fraser Brown went 2-for-3 with a double and a run scored.
Flagler will host Barry University for a three-game weekend series at Drysdale Field. The series begins on Saturday (March 19) with a 1 p.m. doubleheader. Before the game, the annual "Red" Cox Award and scholarship will be presented.
