Sophomore lefthander Max Russell turned in another strong pitching performance, as the third-ranked Moccasins downed Rollins 5-1 in the first game of their weekend Sunshine State Conference series at Henley Field Friday Night.
Russell worked eight innings, allowed just two hits and one run, struck out 10 and walked three to improve his record to 4-0. He did not allow a hit after the fourth inning and retired the last 10 batters he faced.
The Moccasins (21-5, 3-1 SSC) scored a run in the first on an RBI-single by Zach Maggard. Rollins (17-10, 3-4 SSC) tied the game in the second on a solo homer by Ben Hewett, but FSC regained the lead in the third when Robbie Shields scored on an infield out by Colin Kish.
In the fourth inning Colin Kaline hit a two-run homer over the right field fence for his first home run as a Moccasin. Wade Kirkland scored the Moccasins' final run on Will Cherry's single. Cherry had four of the Moccasins' 12 hits, as they were retired in order only one time in the game.
The Moccasins and Tars play a 1 p.m. doubleheader Saturday at Henley Field.
