VALDOSTA, Ga.—The top-ranked and defending national champs, the West Florida Argonauts, jumped all over the Barry Buccaneers at the Valdosta State Holiday Inn Classic at Billy Grant Field on Saturday. Winning 13-1 in a re-match from last season’s South Region final.
The Argos (10-2) jumped on the Bucs in the first inning with three runs. Billy O'Connor brought Taye Larry in on a RBI groundout to second and then a two run frozen rope over the left field wall by Josh Huggins put the Argos on top 3-0. West Florida continued to shell Bucs’ starter Jordan Wellander in the second inning, scoring two more runs. JR Pryor came in to score on a wild pitch and then Larry blasted a solo homerun to left, putting UWF on top 5-0.
The Argos struck for two more runs in the top of the third inning on another long ball. O’Connor blasted a two run shot over the right field wall to give UWF a 7-0 lead. West Florida tacked on another run, 8-0, in the fourth on a wild pitch that scored Larry.
Barry (4-6) scored their only run of the game in the bottom of the sixth inning on a two-out RBI single to right field by Michael Slabach that scored Luis Arrizurieta who had singled and stolen second. Lyndon Coleman record the only other hit for the Bucs.
UWF scored three more runs in the seventh, 11-1, on a bases-clearing three-run double with two outs by Larry. West Florida added two more runs in the top of the eighth on a two-run homer by Huggins, his second of the day.
Jake Stephens picked up the win for UWF, allowing just one hit while striking out three in five scoreless innings of work. Wellander took the loss allowing seven runs on six hits in three innings.
The Bucs close out the tournament on Sunday, Feb. 26 at 11:00 am against the Delta State Statesmen.
West Florida 13, Barry 1 (02/25/12 at Valdosta, Ga.)
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West Florida........ 322 100 320 - 13 12 0 (10-2)
Barry...................... 000 001 000 - 1 3 0 (4-6)
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Pitchers: West Florida - Jake Stephens; Drew Bryson(6); Scott Laughlin(8); Kevin Peters(9) and
Billy O'Connor; Garret Flynn. Barry - Jordan Wellander; Josh James(4); Rene Estrada(6);
Alex Decker(7); Zach Jackson(9) and Luis Arrizurieta.
Win-Jake Stephens(3-0) Loss-Jordan Wellander(1-2) T-2:34 A-185
HR UWF - Taye Larry (1); Billy O'Connor (2); Josh Huggins 2 (2).