Lions Win Behind Hobbs' Clutch Hit In 10th, 8-7
SAINT LEO, Fla. - Freshman Kyle Hobbs, a reserve outfielder from Dade City, Fla., drove in the winning run with a two out, long single in the bottom of the 10th inning Wednesday night, giving Saint Leo University (14-5) an 8-7 non-conference baseball victory over Northern Kentucky University (4-4-1), which is ranked 28th in the nation in the latest Collegiate Baseball poll.
With one away in the 10th, senior second baseman Eric Mesa of Miami, Fla., singled. One out later he stole second. The Norse walked senior designated hitter Rhett Teller of Bealeton, VA intentionally, bringing Hobbs, who entered the game in the ninth inning as a pinch runner and remained to play right field, to the plate. He won the game, drilling a fast ball over the head of the center fielder. The hit raised Hobbs' batting average to .417 (5-for-12).
It was the third straight victory for Coach Ricky Ware's team and fifth win in its last six starts.
Northern Kentucky jumped out to a 4-0 lead after a half inning, but the Lions rallied for three runs in the second on an RBI single by junior shortstop Jerry Gonzalez of Tampa, Fla., and a two-run double by sophomore third baseman Devon Cason of Tampa, Fla.
The Lions added two runs in the fourth on a run-producing double by junior center fielder Matt Prowant of Dade City, Fla., and a wild pitch. Saint Leo tacked two more runs on the scoreboard in the fifth when Gonzalez walked with the bases loaded and junior left fielder Sean VanGuilder of Tallahassee, Fla., was hit by a pitch with the sacks filled with Lions.
Sophomore catcher Ricky Nolan of Seminole, Fla., continued his red-hot hitting by ripping thee singles and scoring three runs. Nolan is now hitting .404. Teller chipped in wtih a pair of singles.