February 16, 1995
One word describes Tuesday's three-hour and 44 minute, Gator 20-4 walloping of the Patten Lions first ever baseball team: patience.
In their first baseball contest ever, the Lions appeared shaky in the field, trying to put together a defense that could stop the Gators' powerful bats.
"They are going through some growing pains," coach Mike Simpson said, "and we are a pretty good club with good traditions."
The Lions started slow, giving up two walks to the first two Gator hitters in the bottom of the first.
"They already know to be patient at the plate," Simpson said. "But there were times that we made sure."
As they batted around the order, the Gators took advantage of walks and Lions miscues.
After recording a strikeout, the Lions' pitcher walked the next batter and wild pitched the first run home.
The Gators collected four more runs on three hits and a pass ball.
After giving up seven runs, the Lions changed pitchers and allowed three more runs before getting out of the 45-minute, 10-run first inning.
In the bottom of the second inning, lead-off man Michael Rahmoeller grounded to third but reached first safely on a catching error by the first baseman. Rahmoeller was advanced to second on a wild pitch.
The next two hitters, Eric Fifer and Gregg Kenney, walked, loading up the bases for J.C. Herrera.
A sacrifice fly to deep center scored Rahmoeller and advanced Fifer to third base.
With runners at the corners, the Lions walked Wayne Northern and the Gators found themselves with the bases loaded once again. This time, ace hitter Phil Kernan (.462) was at the plate.
In his first two at-bats of the game, Kernan had struck out. But not this time. Kernan smashed a triple to the left-center field fence and cleared the bases, giving the Gators a 14-0 lead.
"Once we got a few walks," Simpson said, "We got a few good hits to move the runners over."
Although the Lions' defense bobbled the ball several times, they turned four double plays and committed just two errors.
In the top of the fourth inning, the Lions' lead-off hitter reached first base on an error by shortstop Kenney.
The next hitter, Louis Agront, recorded the Lions' first hit ever with a single to center.
With runners at the corners, the Lions scored their first run off of Gators' pitcher Ronnie Diller on third baseman Jason Harvey's fielder's choice.
Before Tuesday's game, Kernan led the team offensively, with Gregg Franceschi, Erik Wanner and Jason Harvey each hitting .400.
Also hot at the plate, Ivory Jones hit .360, with one double, three triples and five RBI's.
On the mound, the Gators have three pitchers with more than four innings pitched and an ERA under 2.0.
After starting off cold with an 0-4 record, SF State has won its last three contests.
The Gators will host Southern Cal College at 2 p.m. tomorrow and again at 11 a.m. on Saturday.