March 2, 2008
PENSACOLA, Fla. - The 2008 baseball season has been a season of streaks so far. On Sunday, Columbus State completed a three game sweep of the Argos, which marked the sixth straight loss. West Florida, now 9-12 on the season, has endured two six game losing streaks, with a seven game winning streak sandwiched in between. The Argos also started the season with a two game winning streak.
The fifteenth ranked Cougars scored two runs in each of the first two innings, and pitcher Anthony Arrington needed very little run support to cruise to victory with a seven hit shutout, while striking out nine batters. Argos starter Billy Whitaker, who earlier this year hurled a one hit shutout, took the loss on Sunday, after giving up three earned runs in the first two innings.
West Florida relief pitcher Matt Collins pitched the final seven innings, allowing only an unearned run, and scattered eight hits. Collins struck out five batters and only walked one. Meanwhile, Kyle Brown had three hits for UWF, while Greg Pron added a double in the fourth inning, only to be stranded at second base.
In the sixth inning, Kyle Andrews and Brown had back to back singles, but Arrington induced a double play grounder to end the threat. Meanwhile, the Cougars scored two runs in the first inning on a double and a pair of singles. Then, they added two more runs in the second inning, on two singles and a double, and the aid of an Argonaut error. Steven Bingert and Brandon Brewer also had singles for the Argos, but were also stranded on base. The Columbus State defense turned in four double plays to help spoil any Argo rallies.
The Argonauts remain at home this week, as West Division Gulf South Conference Harding comes to town for a three game series on Tuesday and Wednesday. This is the final series of a span of 17 consecutive home games. Following the series with Harding, the Argonauts will have a tough road test against perennially tough Delta State and Montevallo.