AUBURNDALE, Fla. - - Matt Warrington impressed again in his second start of the season, as the bats came alive in an 11-1 victory against Minnesota Crookston on Thursday afternoon at the Lake Myrtle Sports Complex.
Matt Warrington went 6.2 innings, striking out nine batters while only allowing an unearned run on five hits. He improved to 2-0 on the year and now has 16 strikeouts in 13.2 innings pitched with a 0.00 earned run average.
The Golden Eagles (6-8) scored first in the game, getting an unearned run in the top of the third on a double and an error and a sacrifice fly. Nic Hertzfeld had the first hit for the Wildcats in the bottom of the third, but they left two runners on to close the inning.
Nick Nocella hit a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the fourth inning to tie the score, 1-1, and then Jack McDonald roped an RBI double in the bottom of the fifth for the Wildcats to take the lead, 2-1.
The Wildcats broke it open in the bottom of the sixth inning, scoring four unearned runs on three hits. Adrian Jimenez went back up the middle for a two-run single and then Jack McDonald was at it again with another double, bringing in two more to make it 6-1.
Shawn Haut led off the seventh with a single and then Nick Nocella launched his third homer of the season to left center, making it 8-1. Now with two outs, Jimenez reached with an error, scoring Alex Krick and keeping the Wildcats at the plate. Erik Grady singled and then Nick Classie pulled one to right for an RBI single. Erik Grady then scampered home on a passed ball, making it 11-1 and putting the 10-run rule into effect.
Nick Nocella went 2-for-3 with three RBI while Jack McDonald went 2-for-4 with three RBI. Adrian Jimenez batted 2-for-4 with three RBI and two runs scored as well. Erik Grady scored three times to lead the Wildcats.
The Wildcats travel across the state of Florida on Friday to Melbourne, playing a game under the lights against Florida Tech. The first pitch is set for 7:00 p.m.