Box Score LAKELAND, FLA.– If a pitching staff gives up 12 walks, you would expect that team to lose. However, that wasn't the case tonight as the Fire squeaked out a 7-6 victory over the William Carey University Crusaders. Patrick Kinney picked up his second win of the year and Mike Ruppenthal earned his first save. With the win, the Fire improve to 5-1 on the young season and the Crusaders fall to 0-5.
Kinney pitched five innings, giving up three earned runs, striking out six and walking seven. He came out of the gate looking a little shaky, as pitch command was an issue throughout the night. Three walks in the first inning led to two quick runs by the Crusaders.
The Fire came roaring back in the bottom of the second inning thanks to an RBI double by Luis Diaz. RBIs from Josiel Colon and Aldo Ferrante gave the Fire a 3-2 lead at the end of the second inning.
The bats came alive in the bottom of the fifth, and the Fire were able to get to the Crusaders bullpen early. With the Fire already leading 4-3, the offense put another three runs across the plate thanks to a sacrifice fly by Corbin Weeks and a double by Ricky DeArmas. By the end of the inning, the Fire built up a 7-3 lead.
Brandon Goff came out of the bullpen in the sixth and gave up two runs in two innings pitched. The Crusaders gave the Fire a scare in the eighth as they were able to score three runs against the combination of Goff and Dylan Jameson. The bullpen bent but never broke; the Fire pen was able to leave 15 men on base.
Aldo Ferrante led the scoring charge for the Fire, as he went 2-3 with an RBI and a double. Ferrante, Colon, Weeks, DeArmas, Willi Martin, and Luis Diaz earned an RBI each. TJ Glessner stole his sixth base of the season as well.
The Fire and the Crusaders face off in a doubleheader Saturday afternoon. First pitches are scheduled for 12 and 3pm.
