PENSACOLA, Fla. – In Friday evening's home opener, the University of West Florida secured an 8-2 win over Rollins College at Jim Spooner Field.
The Argos took an early lead in the first inning when
Ben Maskin hit a two-RBI triple to right field, bringing in
Brantley Willis and
Cade Easterbrook. In the third inning, Willis contributed an RBI single, followed by an RBI single from
Dean Hotz and a sacrifice fly by Dylan Presto, extending the lead to 5-0.
Rollins responded in the seventh inning with a solo home run by Michael Furry and added another run in the eighth, narrowing the score to 5-2. But the Argos put the stamp on the game when
Brett Rowell hit a three-run homer to center field to all but seal the game with an 8-2 lead.
Blake Thomas entered in the top of the ninth to help the Argos close out the inning, striking out the final batter for the team's second win of the season.
Starting pitcher
Dalton Neuschwander earned the win for UWF, improving his record to 1-1. The senior went five innings giving up no runs and striking out three. Willis came in relief of of Neuschwander and struck out three.
West Florida (2-2) and Rollins will play again on Saturday with a doubleheader slated. The first game is set for 1 p.m.
