By Nathan Deen
Published on January 30, 2008
The PJC baseball team routed Baton Rouge Community College 10-2 Friday, giving the Pirates an important home opening win.
“That’s very important,” said Ryan Ditthardt, who had two home runs in the game. “It sets the pace for the season.”
PJC was explosive on offense. After being shutdown through the first three innings by Baton Rouge pitcher Roland Rodrigue, the Pirates tallied 13 hits and five solo home runs.
Trailing 2-0 early, PJC finally got things going with a three-run fourth inning, which started with a solo home run by Matt Taliercio. PJC carried that momentum into the fifth inning as Robert Beary and Ryan Ditthardt led the inning off with back-to-back solo home runs.
Relief pitcher Joey Delgado came into the game for starter Miguel Mejia and completely shut down the Baton Rouge offense. In the three innings he pitched, Delgado struck out four batters and allowed only one hit.
“Joey did a fine job,” said head coach Bill Hamilton, “and our hitters really bailed us out.”
Ahead 5-2, PJC added to their lead in the seventh inning with Ditthardt’s second solo home run and again in the eighth where three runs were batted in, including a solo homerun by Alex Melendez.
Ditthardt went 3-4 with two home runs and 2 RBI’s. Robert Beary went 4-5 with a home run, two singles, a double and three RBI’s. Bear Comer stole two bases and went 2-3 with two singles and a RBI.
PJC will face Baton Rouge at home again on Saturday at 1:00 p.m.