Titans Open Baseball Season With Sweep

Eastern Florida's baseball team opened its season with a doubleheader sweep over Florida State College Jacksonville in which the games were as different as night and day with one exception: Vinny Capra.

The Titans sophomore shortstop finished the day with three triples, a double, a run batted in and four runs scored including the game winner in the 5-4, eight-inning nightcap victory at Bruce Bochy Field. Eastern Florida won the first game 9-2.

"The guys fought hard in both games," said Titan head coach Jeff Tam. "I got a lot of arms in there in the second game. We had to work out some kinks here and there. To start out 2-0 you can't ask for anything better."

Starter Jake Walsh got the win in the first game while reliever Tim Luth got the win in the second game as the Titans hustled to the victory after hitting into a triple play in the sixth inning.

Capra led off the bottom of the eighth with a long fly ball that the FSCJ leftfielder lost in the lights for a triple.

With one out FSCJ walked Ruben Garcia to set up a force play. Ian Lisle then pitch hit and grounded sharply to first base. The first baseman dove and tagged the bag for the second out but Garcia beat the throw to second for the force and the third out as Capra scooted across with the winning run.

Capra also played sparkling defense showing great range and a cannon of an arm, finishing the day with nine assists.

"You don't pencil him, you ink him in the lineup," Tam said of Capra. "He'll go do his thing. He's a tremendous player, great kid. To have one of those is awesome."

Capra took the effort in stride. "I saw the ball pretty well," he said. "You have days like this where you just see well, hopefully you play well.

"Defensively, I always stress defense. Pitching and defense wins games. I didn't try to do anything extra. I'm just going out and playing the same game I always play and good things happen."

Titan centerfielder Manny Rodriguez had three hits in the first game, scored three runs and drove in three.

Catcher Gian Jimenez homered in the second game for the Titans third run. He also scored twice.

The Titans visit Seminole State College on Monday before beginning FCSAA Southern Conference play by hosting defending champion Palm Beach State at 5 p.m. Tuesday. Admission is free.

NEWS MEDIA CONTACT: Mark DeCotis, Athletic Communications

Office: 321-433-5700   Cell: 321-759-4540   Email: decotism@easternflorida.edu