Indians take two from Gordon State

On a frigid afternoon at Jeff Johnson Field on Tuesday afternoon, the Chipola pitchers found a way to get hot and shutout Gordon College in a doubleheader sweep. On the day, thirteen pitchers combined for seventeen strikeouts en route to a 4-0 win in game one followed by a 3-0 win in game two.

In game one, the Indians would manufacture a run to get on the board in the first inning. Paxton Tomaini walked with one out then moved to second on a wild pitch. Tomaini's aggressive baserunning would give the Indians an early 1-0 lead after he stole third then scored on a ground ball hit by Cameron Gray back to the pitcher. After getting a good jump at third, Tomaini was able to slide in under the tag as the pitcher's throw was high to the catcher.

In the fifth inning, the Indians would once again score without the ball leaving the infield. Chipola loaded the bases with no outs on a walk to Tomaini followed by back to back bunt singles by Myles Austin and Cameron Gray. With one out, Dylan Goldstein was hit by a pitch to score Tomaini. Still with the bases loaded, Andre Tarver hit into a fielder's choice that put out Goldstein at second but scored Austin and put Chipola up 3-0.

The Indians would add another run in the sixth when Matthew Garcia, who had reached on a one out single, scored on a Gordon State error.

Since the Indians had not played in nine days, Coach Jeff Johnson used the game to get his pitching staff some time on the mound. Luis Guerrero started the game and was given the win since he was the pitcher of record when the Indians took the lead in a game that saw Chipola send six guys to the mound. Guerrero threw one inning and had two strikeouts without a walk or a hit.

With Chipola up 3-0 in the sixth, Bo Bonds entered the game, inheriting two runners on base and one out. Bonds struck out the first batter he faced then a got a fly out to centerfield to end the threat. In the seventh, Bonds would retire the side in order to complete the save, his third of the season.

As the temperatures continued to drop, so did the offensive production. Through three scoreless innings to start game two, the teams had combined for three hits and neither team sent more than four hitters to the plate in an inning. On the mound, Drew Howard, Jack Murphy, and Isaiah Bennett each pitched an inning and held the Highlanders without a run while striking out three, walking one, and giving up two hits.

Making his first appearance of the season, Michael Esposito entered the game in the fourth and retired the first two batters he faced. He found himself in trouble after two walks and a single loaded the bases for Gordon State. After falling behind 2-0, Espositio struck out the Highlanders' hitter to end the threat.

In the fifth inning, Lyle Miller-Green moved to the mound for the Indians. After allowing a lead off walk, he retired the next three batters he faced. He would pick up the win as the Indians were able to push a run across in the bottom half of the inning.

Once again, the Indians would manufacture a run thanks to help from the Gordon State defense. Alfonso Villalobos led off the inning with a walk, stole second and advanced to third on an errant throw from the catcher, then scored on a wild pitch.

Chipola would add two more runs in the sixth inning. After a lead-off walk to Miller-Green and Gray reached on an error, Myles Austin singled to score Miller-Green with one out. Gray would score with two outs after Gordon State made an error in an attempt to complete a double play.

The Indians moved to 12-1 on the season and moved up a spot to number one in the FCSAA. Chipola was ranked third in the preseason NJCAA rankings. The first regular season poll will be published on Monday, March 1. 

Chipola will play in the John Tindall Classic at St. John's River State College in Palataka this weekend. The Indians' first opponent will be Miami Dade College on Friday at 6 PM central. Miami Dade College (9-6) was ranked 15th in the NJCAA preaseason rankings and is currently ranked 9th in the FCSAA poll.