Zalewski, Cantlin Toss Complete Game Shutouts Friday

WINTER HAVEN, Fla. – The scene shifted from Auburndale to Winter Haven on Friday, as the Scarlet Hawks played two seven-inning games against Fitchburg State. Tech played all 14 innings without allowing a run or using its bullpen, riding the arms of sophomores John Zalewski and Ryan Cantlin to 1-0 and 5-0 victories at Chain of Lakes Park, moving to 5-2 on the trip.

 Runs-Hits-Errors (Game 1)

• Fitchburg State: 0 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors
• Tech: 1 run, 4 hits, 0 errors

How it Happened (Game 1)

• After a seven-pitch first inning by Tech starter Zalewski, the Scarlet Hawks scored in the first inning for the fifth game in a row. A one-out single from shortstop Orlando Cardenas-Juan gave Tech a speedy baserunner, who advanced all the way to third on two passed balls. Catcher Zachary Dickey manufactured the run with an RBI groundout to give the Scarlet Hawks the 1-0 lead.
• One of Fitchburg State's biggest threats came in the top of the second, but center fielder Michael Courtney said otherwise. With two outs and a man on second, a single by Fitchburg's second baseman Joshua Macomber was hit to Courtney, who rifled a perfect throw to home plate to nab first baseman Brennan Cuddahy by several steps, keeping the Falcons scoreless.
• Zalewski would cruise over the next three innings, retiring nine straight hitters. Within that span, the Chicago native struck out six straight batters, all swinging.
• The Falcons kept a lid on the Tech offense throughout, even during a large threat in the bottom of the fourth.  A hit by pitch, single, and walk loaded the bases, but Fitchburg State starter Andrew Mooney was able to get a strikeout and fly out to retire the side.
• While Zalewski would be presented with some trouble over the final two frames, he shut the door on the Falcons. He picked off shortstop Brandon Lefebvre after a leadoff single in the sixth, and after a two-out walk in the seventh, he induced a fly out to seal the victory.

Runs-Hits-Errors (Game 2)

• Tech: 4 runs, 5 hits, 1 error
• Fitchburg State: 0 runs, 3 hits, 1 error

How It Happened (Game 2)

• Ryan Cantlin's roughest inning may have been the first, as the Falcons loaded the bases after two quick outs. However, the southpaw would induce a groundout to second baseman DJ Rybski to end the inning.
• Tech would get its first runs of the ballgame via the suicide squeeze. In the top of the third, Cardenas-Juan laid down a perfect bunt to drive home Courtney. Two innings later, left fielder Jacob Sorenson would follow suit to drive home Rybski to extend the lead to 2-0.
• Meanwhile, Cantlin found his groove on the mound. After a Cuddahy single in the first, he would not allow a hit until an Andrew Curran double in the sixth inning, mixing in just two walks in between. A terrific diving play by first baseman Ted Howell in the bottom of the third inning also highlighted the dominance.
• The Scarlet Hawks would add more insurance in the top of the fifth. Dickey, the designated hitter in game two, walked and stole second to start the frame. After two outs, Rybski singled him in to make the score 3-0. After catcher Enrique Acevedo recorded one of his three walks, third baseman Tyler Tucker drove in Rybski with a single.
• It was more of the same for Cantlin in the bottom of the seventh, as after a one-out walk, he struck out the final two hitters swinging to end the contest.

Scarlet Hawk Standouts

• Zalewski (three hits, two walks, eight strikeouts) and Cantlin (three hits, four walks, four strikeouts) were truly dominant with seven-inning complete game shutouts. Cantlin also moved to 2-0 on the season.
• Rybski was 3-for-4 with two runs and an RBI in game two.
• Tucker was a perfect 2-for-2 with an RBI in game two.

Stats to Know

• The Scarlet Hawks have now had three complete games in a row from its starting pitchers. Tech's bullpen has not seen action since Monday.
• Tech earned its fifth win of the season with the game two victory. Last season, the team did not win its fifth game until April 8 against Maranatha Baptist, its 22nd game of the season.

Up Next

• The Florida trip closes on Saturday morning at 9:00 a.m. eastern with a single game against Keene State College. The contest will take place at Chain of Lakes Field #1 in Winter Haven, Florida. Live stats and audio will be available.