BOCA RATON, Fla. – Andrew Virgili was once again lights out on the mound while the Lynn University baseball offense belted 22 hits in a 16-5 scorching of No. 22 Florida Tech on Tuesday afternoon. The Fighting Knights top of the order combined to go 12-for 19 with eight runs scored and the LU pitching staff struck out 12 batters in improving to 2-1 overall.
Florida Tech (2-2) jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the third when center fielder R.J. Coffman smacked a solo home run to right field. That would be the highlight of the day for the Panthers as the Blue & White took control in the home half of the frame and never looked back.
Lynn sent 12 batters to the plate, scoring eight runs on eight hits and taking advantage of one FIT error. Austin Smith and Phil Mannelly singled to start the frame and Eric Herrera tied it up with a bases loaded single two batters later. Richie McVey and Dane Derstine made it 3-0 with a single and walk before Ronnie Oelerich's wildness plated another run. Alex Bello, Johnny Broderick and Anthony Boza each tallied runs scoring hits to put LU on top 8-0.
Virgili (2-0) was nasty in his six innings of work, allowing four hits, three runs, two earned, and striking out seven betters. In 10 innings pitched so far he has 14 K's with just one walk.
The Panthers added a run in the fourth and another in the sixth, taking advantage of a Knights' error, but thoughts of a comeback fade quickly in the bottom of the sixth inning. Once again Lynn batted around, scoring five runs this time on five hits. The big hit of the frame came from Derstine, who launched a three-run home run into the left field trees to put the Blue & White on top 13-3.
Wes Soto showed off his gap power with a pair of RBI doubles, the second of which came in the seventh to make it 15-3. The Knights' last run came when freshman Steven Fernandez ripped a bases loaded single to right center for his first career hit.
Shawn Kale brushed off his rough first outing and was dominant in his second appearance. The junior right-hander held FIT hitless in his two innings of work while K'ing four batters. Carl Gorman pitched the ninth and also picked up a strikeout.
Florida Tech's defense didn't help out its pitchers, committing six errors. Lynn, though, was only able to capitalize with three unearned runs.
The Fighting Knights get back on the diamond this weekend when they travel to Greenwood, S.C., for three games against No. 7 Mount Olive, host Lander and No. 7 Grand Valley State. Friday's first pitch is set for 7 p.m., Saturday starts at 3 p.m. and Sunday LU will take the field at 11 a.m. Fans can follow the weekend action through live stats at www.LynnFightingKnights.com by selecting "Game Central."
