Fernandina Beach falls to No. 21 Marist (GA) 6-0
March 8, 2019
Stephens and Fernandina Beach starting pitcher Gabe Matthews (2019) made quick work of the opposition in the first inning, as both collected two strikeouts and a pop out to third base. The second inning was a different story. 1B Liam Sullivan (Marist, 2020) led the inning off with a single up the middle. Then, the physical left-handed hitter timed up Matthews and swiped second base. Stephens aided his own cause by squaring a ball up to dead center, good for an RBI triple. 3B Dean Colton(Marist, 2019) would score Stephens on a single, bringing the lead to 2-0.
Marist kept the momentum rolling into the bottom of the second, as Stephens retired the side in order. LF Patrick Comerford (2019) extended the lead to 3-0 with an RBI double. SS John Flor (2019) came around to score after reaching base safely on a fielding error by the shortstop. Once again, it was Liam Sullivan in the mix of things, this time driving in a another War Hawk run on a single through the right-side.
With a 4-0 lead, Stephens entered cruise control. He retired the side in order again in the third inning, then worked through the fourth and fifth innings without allowing a hit or a base runner past second. Stephens would exit after the fifth, allowing zero hits, six strikeouts, one hit batter.
The War Hawks were able to extend their lead in the top of the sixth to 6-0. A single followed by consecutive walks set Marist up with bases loaded, one out. The Pirates were able to roll up a ground ball, however a fielding error thwarted any attempt at a double play and allowed a run to score. Flor added the sixth run in the following at-bat with a single.
Offensively, Fernandina Beach collected two hits in the game, one apiece by 1B Caleb Goltz (2020) and C Andrew Garcia (2021).
Marist was led offensively by Liam Sullivan (2-for-4, 1 RBI) and Dean Colton (2-for-4, 1 RBI).