Andzel Delivers Game Winner in the Eighth as Saints Defeat Polk, 5-4
February 17, 2014
February 17, 2014
SF BASEBALL
Gainesville, FL – Chipper Andzel came up big for the Santa Fe Saints on Monday afternoon against Polk State College, delivering the game winning RBI with two outs in the bottom of the eighth inning to propel SF past the Eagles 5-4.
Connor Rooney was steady on the mound, pitching 5.2 innings, allowing three earned runs with three strikeouts.
Santa Fe gave Rooney some early run support, plating one run in the first on three straight two out singles, the third by Roger Gonzalez. Polk answered in the second with a run and again in the third to take a 2-1 lead.
In the fifth, George Ragsdale gave the Saints the lead with a monstrous three run homerun over the left field fence, his third of the season.
Trailing by two, Polk didn't give in and rallied for a run in the sixth and another in the seventh to knot the game up at 4-4.
Santa Fe reliever Chase Julius entered the game in the middle of a jam, facing a runner on third with just one out. He handled the pressure with ease, striking out the next two batters to strand the Eagles runner and preserve the tie.
In the bottom of the eighth, Colby Lusignan led the inning off with a single up the middle and Payson Smith sacrificed pinch runner Andrew Fears to second with a picture perfect bunt up the first base line. Two batters later Andzel belted a double over the center fielder's head with what would prove to be the game winning RBI.
Jeremy Graf closed out the game in the ninth for his first save.
Ragsdale finished 2-for-4 with two runs scored, a homerun and three RBI, Roger Gonzalez was 2-for-4 and Andzel was 1-for-3 with a double and a RBI. Chase Julius picked up the win with one inning of relief work.
The Saints will be back at home on Wednesday, February 19 against Tallahassee CC at 3:00 PM.
For More information on Santa Fe Baseball, please visit santafesaints.com. To see game photos and other updates, follow Santa Fe College Athletics on Facebook.
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