Edward Waters had to call an audible on their weekend series with Warner. Due to inclement weather that is expected to affect the Northeast Florida area for the next eight days, the series between the two teams that originally was scheduled to be played in Jacksonville, was shifted to Polk County for a four-game set. The Tigers and Royals met in the series opening doubleheader on Friday afternoon at the new Royals Field and split the days action. EWC picked up their first win of the season in Game 1 4-3 but, fell in walkoff fashion in Game 2, 5-4.
Game 1: Edward Waters 4, Warner 3:
The scoring in the series opener began in the top of the 3rd on a passed ball that scored Joseph Eischen and a Freddy Torres RBI single to give the Tigers a 2-0 lead.
Edward Waters added to their advantage in the top of the 4th on the strength of RBI singles from Benjamin Guzzone and Damani Thomas, extending the lead to 4-0.
Warner made things interesting in the bottom of the 4th plating two runs to cut the lead in half.
The bottom of the seventh was even more stressful for the Tigers as Warner pushed a run across in the inning and even had a chance to win the game with runners on second and third with two out. EWC relief pitcher Darius Blasingane came up big in that spot with the game sealing strikeout to give the Purple & Orange their first win of the year.
Torres led the Tigers going 2-for-3 with an RBi, while Guzzone, Thomas, Keilin Washington, Payton Shubert, and MarkAnthony Perez all went 1-for-3 at the plate for EWC.
Will Valenti picked up the victory for the Tigers on the mound, going 3.1 innings, allowing four hits, two earned runs, and two strikeouts. Darius Blasingane picked up the save for EWC.
Game 2: Warner 5, Edward Waters 4:
The sequel started off with a bang for the Tigers as Damani Thomas connected on a leadoff home run in the top of the first to give EWC an early 1-0 lead.
Warner came back with a vengeance in the bottom half of the inning, plating three runs to take a 3-1 lead.
Both teams were held scoreless from that point until the top of the fifth when Cayden Frankie smacked a pinch hit two-RBI single to tie the contest at 3-3. A batter later, Marcus Judd stepped up with an RBI single as EWC was able to retake the lead at 4-3.
In the bottom half of the fifth, Warner was able to push the game tying run across the plate to make it a 4-4 ballgame.
The Royals were able to walk things off in the bottom of the seventh on the strength of an RBI sacrifice fly to deny EWC a sweep of the day’s action.
Judd finished 2-for-4 at the dish with an RBI to lead EWC.
EWC starter Julio Flores had a no decision in the contest going 5.1 innings and notched four strikeouts. Eric Claudio, Jr. was tagged with the loss for Edward Waters on the mound.
The same two teams will wrap up their series on Saturday, February 13th with a doubleheader starting at 11:00am.