River Splits Doubleheader with St. Johns River

PALATKA, FL - Indian River split a road doubleheader on Tuesday against St. Johns River State College, earning a 3-2 win in Game one before falling 14-13 in a dramatic Game two finish.

In the opener, Piar collected three hits in four at-bats as The River secured the 3-2 victory. She homered to right field in the fifth inning and added singles in the third and seventh. The River didn't take the lead until later in the game. Indian River trailed 2-1 in the top of the fifth when Piar launched a two-run home run to right field to put The River ahead for good.

St. Johns River State College was first on the board in the first inning when Shipley homered to left field, scoring two runs. Indian River completed the fifth-inning rally when Eekhoff grounded out to score one run before Piar's two-run blast gave The River the 3-2 advantage.

Wilkinson earned the win in the circle for Indian River, allowing five hits and two runs over seven innings while striking out 12 and walking three. Allbritton started in the circle for St. Johns River State College and surrendered five hits and three runs (zero earned) over four and two-thirds innings, striking out one and walking two.

Terito collected two hits in three at-bats for The River. Shipley drove in two runs to lead St. Johns River State College, finishing 1-for-3 on the day. Fusco, the team's number nine hitter, added two hits in three at-bats.

Game two proved to be a high-scoring battle that came down to the final play, as Indian River fell 14-13. St. Johns River State College trailed 13-10 in the bottom of the seventh inning when Fogel hit a walk-off grand slam to center field.

Despite the loss, The River tallied 14 hits, while St. Johns River State College finished with 12. Indian River struck first in the opening inning when Alvey doubled to score one run. St. Johns River State College answered in the bottom of the second when Dall walked, helping tie the game at one.

The River regained the lead in the top of the third after a St. Johns River State College error, a Loreto single to center field, and a passed ball, each scoring one run. St. Johns River State College captured a 5-4 lead in the bottom of the third when Shipley reached on a fielder's choice that scored one run, Fogel doubled to drive in two runs, and a steal of home added another.

Indian River responded in the top of the fourth when Alvey homered to center field, scoring two runs to give The River a 6-5 advantage. Eekhoff added a two-run home run to left field in the top of the fifth.

Fogel hit a solo home run to center field in the bottom of the fifth to keep St. Johns River State College within striking distance.

The game flipped in the bottom of the seventh when St. Johns River State College scored eight runs on five hits to claim the 14-13 win. The decisive blow was Fogel's grand slam to center field, driving in four runs.

Eekhoff started in the circle for Indian River, allowing 10 hits and 11 runs (eight earned) over six innings while striking out eight and walking six. Lawrence opened for St. Johns River State College and gave up nine hits and eight runs (five earned) over five innings, striking out five and walking one.

Alvey had a standout performance for The River, going 5-for-5 with four runs batted in from the three-hole and stealing two bases. Piar, Gendron, and Shields each collected multiple hits in the loss.

Fogel and Watson each recorded three hits while batting back-to-back for St. Johns River State College. Fogel drove in seven runs, finishing 3-for-5. Lawrence and Lewis also recorded multiple hits, while Dall drew three walks. As a team, St. Johns River State College showed patience at the plate with eight total walks. Fogel and Watson each stole multiple bases.

Indian River now looks ahead to its home opener on February 10 against South Florida State College.

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