Nathan Cowan, Times Correspondent
Friday, April 8, 2011
ST. PETERSBURG — Cambridge will take wins however it can get them. Friday at Canterbury, the Lancers were outhit 10-8 but took advantage of the Crusaders' sloppy defense to prevail 15-4 in a game ended after six innings due to the mercy rule.
"They gave us a lot of runs and it wasn't pretty, but we'll take it," Lancers coach Sam Marsonek said. "It was not a good day."
Cambridge scored an unearned run in the first inning before exploding for seven runs in the second to take an 8-0 lead. Jordan Lewis reached on an error and after a walk, Tommy Robertson laid down a sacrifice bunt but no one covered first, allowing Robertson to reach.
With the bases loaded Henry Mesa singled in two runs. Reeves Martin was hit by a pitch and Zach Hessinger reached on another error that allowed Robertson to score.
"We're not focused and we have a lot of guys out of position, but we can't make excuses," Crusaders coach Jared Lewis said. "It's my fault that I haven't gotten the players ready to play a secondary position."
Canterbury got on the board in the third inning when Richie McClure reached on an error and DaSean Thomas hit a two-run home run.
The Lancers answered with a run in the top of the fourth, and four more in the fifth to put the game out of reach.
Matt Mullins got the win for the Lancers, giving up only seven hits and two runs in four innings.
"It's encouraging for him to pitch that well and only gave up one walk," Marsonek said. "We harp on not giving free passes."
Andrew Widell led the Cambridge offense with a double, a single, two runs scored and two RBIs.