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Cougars Lose Early Lead in Loss


Clearwater traveled to St. Leo University Saturday evening at Thomas B. Southard Stadium. The Cougars took an early lead in the fourth inning after Senior Ethan Barba hit a three run home run over the left field fence, making the score 4-3.

The fourth inning started off with second baseman Chris Caudillo reaching base on a walk, and then freshman Nate Krouse singled. With runners at first and second, and no outs, Henry Turner was issued what was apparently the fourth ball of the at bat. Caudillo was then in transit from second to third because of the walk, but was tagged out because the umpire had a three ball count. Turner then walked on the next pitch, putting runners back at first and second. Barba was next up, and blasted a hit over the left field wall, scoring three runs.

The Lions came back with three runs of their own in the fifth. The Cougars had a chance to get out of the inning but an error gave the Lions a chance to get the big hit. St. Leo short stop Frank Rawdow hit a two run triple, giving them the lead 6-4.

In the Cougars half of the sixth, they cut the lead in half, making it 6-5, after Barba hit a two out single scoring Krouse, who walked to lead off the inning.

Unfortunately, that would be the end of the Cougars scoring for the day, where as St. Leo put across ten more runs in their last three at bats, making the final score 16-5.

Senior Brent Kirkley took the loss on the hill, going 5 2/3 innings, facing 32 batters, walking just one, and striking out two.

St. Leo starter Charles Neely picked up the win, throwing 5 2/3 innings, striking out nine Cougars, and surrendering five earned runs.

Barba led the Cougars offensively, going 2-4 with 4 RBI's. Henry Turner went 1-3, with a walk, and had the other Cougars RBI.

Eddie Fuentes, Nate Krouse, Joel Felten, Zack Weber, Jefte Velez, and David Edwards each recorded hits in the game.

Sophomore Kyle Baitz made his third scoreless appearance out of relief in the week, pitching 1 1/3 innings allowing no hits Saturday evening.

The Cougars will play Monday night at home against Webber International University at Jack Russell Stadium with the first pitch at 6 p.m. The Cougars will look to split the season series with WIU after losing 5-4 this past Tuesday.