The Maritime College baseball team didn't get off to the start they were hoping for in Fort Pierce, Fl. as they fell to Kenyon College 11-3 on Wednesday afternoon.

The Privateers had a shaky top half of the first inning on defense and allowed the Lords to take a quick 4-0 lead. However, Travis Zurita (Ozone Park, N.Y./Poly Prep) created some offensive momentum for Maritime with a lead-off single and then stealing second and third base. A couple batters later, Shane Sullivan (Stewart Manor, N.Y./Chaminade) hit a ground ball up the middle to score Zurita from third and cut the lead to 4-1 at the conclusion of the first inning.

Alex Poliwoda (Southold, N.Y./Southold) recovered well after the tough start as he didn't allow a baserunner for the next three innings while striking out three batters. Unfortunately, the Privateers had runners in scoring position in the second and third inning, but couldn't come out of it with a run.

Kenyon College took advantage of its opportunities to extend the lead in the following innings as they scored six runs in the fifth and sixth to make it a 10-1 lead. Maritime's offense found some success in the bottom of the eighth inning behind the bat of Jake Vera (Plainview, N.Y./Bethpage). Vera drove in Phil Russo (Staten Island, N.Y./St. Joseph by the Sea) and Matt Eng (Brooklyn, N.Y./Midwood) with a double to deep right-center field. Unfortunately, the Privateers couldn't keep the comeback hopes alive and fell to the Lords 11-3.

Vera led the offensive effort by going 2-3 at the plate with two RBI's. Zurita also picked up two hits while scoring one run and stealing two bases. Poliwoda picked up the loss while throwing 4.1 innings and allowing five runs. Joe Ragone (Yonkers, NY/Stepinac) pitched well in relief completing the final three innings and only giving up one earned run.

Maritime gets back on the field at Lawnwood Sports Complex tomorrow at 10:00 a.m. against Monmouth College.