Box Score
FORT MYERS, Fla. – The #3 seeded Warner University Royals baseball team dropped their opening game of the 2010 The Sun Conference tournament 14-6 to #4 Savannah College of Art & Design (Ga.) on Sunday night. The Bees swarmed the Royals all night long scoring in at least two runs in four of the nine innings. The loss opens the Royals’ tournament record at 0-1 and drops their overall record to 26-25.
The Royals found themselves in a hole early as the Bees scored four runs in the top of the first inning. Starter Anthony Machado was roughed up early as back-to-back homeruns led off the game for SCAD. The Bees scored two more runs in the inning after a throwing error by Machado with two runners on base. SCAD extended their early lead to 6-0 after scoring two more runs in the second inning.
After a scoreless third inning for the Bees, the Royals broke through with three runs of their own cutting the lead to 6-3. Hunter Reed brought home Justin Zanella and Dan Smith with a two-out triple past the diving center fielder and scored as the relay throw got away from the Bees defense.
The Bees onslaught would continue however as they scored seven runs over the fourth and fifth innings. Reliever Tyler Crews came on for Machado in the fifth inning. Following Crews three other Royals’ relievers would hold the Bees to just one run over the final four innings. The Royals were resilient adding a run in the sixth and two more in the seventh inning but the damage was done.
Machado (6-6) took the loss going three innings surrendering nine runs (seven earned) with three strikeouts. Jeff Jacobsen, Dan Fantini and Kendal Sherrouse tossed one hit ball over the final four-and-a-third innings holding the Bees to only one run.
Hunter Reed finished 1 for 4 with two RBIs and a triple. Dan Smith was also 1 for 4 with two runs scored. Cory Johnson and Ryan Paul rounded out the Royals’ hitters each going 1 for 3.
The Royals have the tough task of facing #1 seeded Embry-Riddle University tomorrow who was victorious in 14 innings over #6 Florida Memorial University earlier in day one action. Game time for the Royals’ game is set for 3 p.m.