Titans combine to throw 2-hit shutout, top Broward 9-0

Talk about a great way to get back in the win column.

Sammy Duran homered and had four RBIs and Daniel Garmendia and three relievers combined on a two-hit shutout as the Eastern Florida State College baseball team broke a four-game losing streak Saturday with a 9-0 win over Broward College at Bruce Bochy Field on the Melbourne Campus.

"Danny Garmendia threw a tremendous game," Titans coach Jeff Tam said. "He made some great pitches and was never really in a tough situation. The whole time, he made every pitch matter. That's a good quality to have as a starting pitcher. He did a wonderful job."

Garmendia, a sophomore right-hander, went six innings and allowed just one hit while walking three and striking out four.

He was replaced by Blair Calvo, who allowed one hit, but struck out three in his inning of work. Cutter Dyals and Tim Luth each pitched a perfect inning to close things out with Luth striking out two of the three batters he faced.

Offensively, the Titans came up big with Duran going 3 for 5 with two runs scored to go with his four RBIs. He hit a three-run home run in the third inning. 

John Capra had three hits, including a double, and drove in two runs. Vinny Capra also had three hits and RBI as well. Manny Rodriguez went 2 for 3 with two runs scored, two walks and an RBI.

Norberto Navarro also drove in a run. Cody Neal scored twice.

That was in contrast to Friday night, when the Titans lost 8-4 to Broward in a game that featured a controversial call that wiped out what would have been a double play for EFSC. 

Gian Jimenez went 3 for 4 with two RBIs in that one. Duran had two hits and an RBI. Ian Lisle also drove in a run. 

Saturday was a different day as EFSC had 14 hits and drove the ball well.

"We swung the bats," Tam said. "We've been struggling, not putting quality at-bats together, chasing pitches and taking the wrong pitches. Today, it just seemed like everything lined up for us. 

"They took great at-bats, saw a lot of pitches and put great swings on balls."

Not only did the victory give the Titans a confidence boost, but the team was recently awarded a pair of forfeit victories over Miami-Dade after it was discovered the Sharks used two ineligible players in their wins over EFSC on March 4 and 5.

The Titans are now 18-9 overall and 7-5 in the Southern Conference. 

EFSC's next game will be on Tuesday at 6 p.m. against visiting College Lafleche of Quebec, Canada. Admission is free.