Indians beat up on Black Hawk

By: Dustin Kent - JCFloridan.com

The No. 8 Chipola Indians put together their biggest offensive outing this season Tuesday night at home, rolling up 17 runs on 14 hits in a 17-5 victory over Black Hawk College.

It was the fourth win in a row for the Indians in their last pre-conference action before starting Panhandle Conference play Friday with the first of a three-game series against Gulf Coast State.

Chipola fell down early after a two-run home run by Black Hawk's John Boidanis off starting pitcher Chris Mosley in the first inning, but the Indians answered with a three-run second to take a lead they never relinquished.

The Indians added three runs in the third featuring an RBI single by Josh Merrigan and a two-RBI hit by Jose Brito to make it 6-2.

The game really got out of hand in the bottom of the fourth when Chipola pushed seven runs across the plate, with Ian Rice providing the big hit with a three-run home run.

Jacky Miles, Jr. and Kevin Santa each had RBI doubles in the inning, while Cody Landford had an RBI single to give the Indians a 13-3 edge.

Chipola tacked on two more runs in the sixth and seventh innings, and the game was called after Palmer Betts overcame two defensive errors to retire the side in the top of the eighth.

Mosley got the win for giving up two earned runs on three hits and a walk with two strikeouts in four innings, with Geron Thompson and Betts each pitching two innings of relief.

Merrigan led the way offensively, going 3-for-3 with three runs and two RBI, with Rice getting a hit and walking twice while driving in four runs and scoring three, and Santa going 2-for-5 with two RBI and a run.

Brito and Miles, Jr. each went 1-for-2 with a run and two RBI, and Bert Givens was 2-for-4 with a walk and three runs.