Box Score The Moccasins scored five runs early and six runs late to beat Tampa 11-3 Friday night in the opening game of their Sunshine State Conference series at Henley Field.
The win pushes FSC's record to 36-11, 14-5 in the SSC, while Tampa drops to 36-15, 14-8 in the SSC.
The Moccasins staked Max Russell to a 5-0 lead after three innings and that was enough for him to earn his eighth win of the season against only one loss. He worked 6.2 innings, struck out six and walked two. Dustin Merrell came on to get the final out in the seventh and finished the game to record his second save of the season.
Wade Kirkland put the Moccasins on the scoreboard in the first inning, as he scored from third on a wild pitch. Andrew Grutka stroked his third home run of the season, a two-run shot, in the second inning and Kirkland added another run on a sacrifice fly that scored Colin Kaline. Nick Stanley led off the third with a home run to right, his fifth of the season.
After Tampa trimmed the lead to 5-3 with a pair of runs in the seventh, Grutka delivered a two-run single in the bottom of the seventh, then the Moccasins put the game out of reach with four runs in the eighth. Trae Gore hit a towering home run, his fifth of the season, over the scoreboard in right field. Stanley singled home a run, Robbie Shields scored on a wild pitch and Stanley scored on an infield out by Colin Kish.
The Moccasins play their final two home games of the season Sunday at 1 p.m. against the Spartans at Henley Field.
