GAME 1

Colby Explodes For Five Runs In Fifth Inning, Tops Middlebury 8-3

Fort Myers, Fl.- The Colby College White Mules (1-0) were victorious in their season opener over the Middlebury College Panthers (0-2) 8-3, using a five-run explosion the bottom of the fifth as their catalyst for victory. Middlebury opened up the scoring in the first inning when Craig Hanson '03 (Middlebury, Vt.) smoked a line drive up the middle to drive in two runs. Colby would match Middlebury's two run output in the bottom of the second when Brandon Irwin '04 (Alexandria, N.Y.) smashed a two-run double over the left fielder's head. Middlebury would reclaim the lead in the top of the fourth when Gil Kim '05 (Pottsville, Pa.) hit an RBI single up the middle.  B.L. Lippert '04 (Augusta, Maine) sparked the Mules explosion in the fifth when he led off the inning when he smashed a double off the top of the left field fence, which is 345' down the line.  Jon Lord '02 (Dublin, N.H.) followed with a single and after another Colby baserunner loaded the bases Joseph Johnson '03 (Norwood, Mass.) walked in the tying run.  Eric Roy '04 (Lisbon Falls, Maine) came through with an RBI single past the outstretched Panther shortstop, as did Vincent Domestico '04 (Ashland, Mass.) with his RBI bouncer through the left side. The rally continued when Brandon Irwin notched his third RBI of the day with a bases loaded walk. Colby's final run of the inning came when Roy scored on a passed ball. Roy picked up an insurance run in the sixth for the Mules with a single to left to conclude the scoring.  Brandon Royce '04 (Augusta, Maine) looked very impressive for Colby as he pitched a complete game and limited the Panthers to three runs and seven hits while striking out three. Special thanks goes out to the Colby Women's Lacrosse team which showed up in force at the start of the fifth inning, when the Mules began their rally.

GAME 2

Middlebury Holds Off Late Colby Rally, Prevails 9-5 To Split Doubleheader

Fort Myers, Fl.- The Colby College White Mules (1-1) threatened late, scoring two runs in the top of the seventh, but the Middlebury College Panthers (1-2) held off the late Colby rally to split a non-league doubleheader between the NESCAC foes. The Mules opened the scoring in the top of the first, continuing the hot hitting and aggressive offense they displayed in the first leg of the doubleheader.  Matt Gibson '03 (Courtland, Ohio), who was effective getting on base as the Colby lead-off hitter, scored on a Jon Lord '02 (Dublin, N.H.) blooped a single in front of the Middlebury center fielder. The Panthers matched the Colby scoring when they picked up a run in the bottom of the inning when Gil Kim '05 (Pottsville, Pa.) scored on a Craig Hanson '03 (Middlebury, Vt.) RBI double. The Mules continued their production when Matthew Simard '02 (Auburn, Maine) continued his effective day with a single, and then was brought in by Jared Cushman '05 (Augusta, Maine), who picked up a RBI single in his first college at-bat. Middlebury benefited from some bleeding singles and some sloppy Colby defense in the second when they picked up three runs in the bottom of the second.  Brian Hamm '02 (Terryville, Conn.) scored on a Denny Smith '03 (Middlebury, Vt.) single, and then Smith and Kim teamed up for a double steal that produced another Middlebury run. Smith's run on a fielder's choice put the score at 4-2 after two. The Mules made it out of the third inning without giving up a run thanks to a spectacular Philip Geiger '04 (Rye Brook, N.Y.) diving snatch of a line drive with Panther players on base, as Geiger was parallel with the ground laying out to make the play. Middlebury extended their lead to 5-2 in the bottom of the fourth when Hamm opened the inning with a single, and after a Colby defensive miscue and Middlebury sacrifice, Hamm scored on a John Prescott '03 (Sierra Madre, Calif.) fielder's choice. Colby was able to match that run in the top of the fifth when Gibson walked to set the plate for a B.L. Lippert '04 (Augusta, Maine) smash that almost reached the 345' sign that he had smashed a double in the day game. The Mules had men on second and third, but were only able to pick up one run when Gibson scored on a passed ball. Middlebury added to their lead in the bottom of the fifth when Dan Colonno '02 (Farmington, Conn.) and Richard Hightower '04 (Stone Mountain, Ga.) scored on a Hamm well placed single between the Colby first and second basemen. Colonno and Hanson pushed the Panther lead to 9-3 in the bottom of the sixth when they scored on a Hightower double. Colby would pick up two late runs in the top of the seventh on a Lippert RBI single through the left side that scored Gibson, and then the speedy pinch runner Nick Miller '05 (South Burlington, Vt.) scored on a Lord sacrifice fly. That would be it for Colby, as they came away from the Opening Day with a 1-1 record and some positive offense and defensive play to contribute to a optimistic feel about the Mules early season potential.