Eagles victorious in debut at No. 1

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (April 26, 2013) - Playing its first-ever game as the nation's top-ranked team, Tallahassee Community College erased a 3-2 deficit with three runs in its final at-bat then held on for a 5-4 win over Pasco-Hernando Community College in game one of the teams' three-game weekend series.

Tallahassee is now 43-8 on the season while Pasco-Hernando drops to 30-19.

Jose Alonzo's leadoff homer in the top of the 8th off Tallahassee reliever Bradley Robbins gave the Quistas a 3-2 lead, but the Eagles, as they have so many times this season, came through when the chips were down.

After the first three batters reached base in the bottom of the eighth, Kevin Cruz ripped a double down the left field line, plating Clay Fenwick and Trent Higginbothem to give the Eagles a 4-3 lead, their first of the afternoon. John Price, Jr., followed with a double to score Cruz with what proved to be the game-winning run.

Pasco-Hernando took advantage of a Tallahassee error to score a run in the ninth against Panhandle Conference Fireman of the Year Victor Cole and had the tying run in scoring position, but Ty Cooler, who drove in the Quistas' ninth-inning run, was picked off second base by catcher James Abbatinozzi to end the game.

The save was Cole's sixth of the season, as he successfully preserved the win for Robbins (1-0).

Pasco-Hernando got on the board first with a run in the fourth when Dan Alimonti singled home Alonzo. The lead was short-lived, however, as Price, Jr., tied things up on one swing in the bottom half with a solo shot to center.

The teams traded runs again in the fifth to leave the game knotted at 2-all.

Both teams' starters pitched well, though neither factored in the decision.

Tallahassee's Nick Deckert scattered six hits and allowed two runs (one earned) over 5.2 innings. Pasco-Hernando's Chris Fee struck out nine and allowed six hits over seven-plus innings. He exited with a 3-2 lead but was charged with the Eagles' first run of the eighth.

Alimonti was tagged with Tallahassee's other two runs in the eighth and took the loss.

Three different players had two hits for Tallahasse - Fenwick, Cruz and Price, Jr. Both Cruz and Price, Jr., were 2-for-4 with two RBI.

Alonzo led the Quistas by going 2-for-4 with two runs scored and an RBI.

The teams will continue their weekend series at 1 p.m. Saturday.