Jordan Guida delivered a clutch two-out, two-run single in the top of the ninth to send the sixth-ranked Moccasins to their ninth straight win, 4-3, over Florida Tech Friday at Melbourne in their Sunshine State Conference opener.
Down 3-2 going to the ninth, the Moccasins (18-4) got back-to-back singles from Will Cherry and Adam Miller with one out. After Colin Kish struck out, Cherry and Miller successfully completed a double steal, advancing to second and third. That set the stage for Guida's game-winning blow, a single up the middle that scored Cherry and Miller.
Patrick Szczerba, who struck out the only two batters he faced in finishing the eighth inning, picked up his first collegiate win. Daniel Tillman pitched a perfect ninth to collect his fourth save of the season. Max Russell made the start for the Moccasins and struck out nine in 6.2 innings.
Cherry had three of the Moccasins' 12 hits in the game. Kish, Nick Stanley and Colin Kaline each had two, as the Moccasins outhit the Panthers 12-5.
FSC and Florida Tech play a doubleheader Saturday at 1 p.m.
