Max Russell struck out 11 batters and scattered five hits in holding 15th ranked Florida Tech to one run as top-ranked Florida Southern downed the Panthers 8-1 in the Sunshine State Conference season opener for both teams.
Russell, 4-0, recorded eight of his first nine oust via the strikeouts while holding the Panther, 13-3, to a pair of hit in the first three frames.
Florida Southern, 15-1, jumped on Florida Tech starter Jonathan Cornelius, 3-1, for two quick scores in the first as Trae Gore led off with a double to left field. Colin Kaline was then hit by a pitch before a double steal gave the Mocs runners at second and third with none out. Following a pair of strikeouts, Todd Benzel singled up the middle to score both runners for the 2-0 FSC lead.
Florida Tech cut the lead in half with a pair of singles to lead off the fifth inning and a sacrifice fly by J.D. Davidson, but Russel got Chris Fox to ground into a inning-ending double play.
The Moccasins then batted around in the sixth inning scoring six runs on five hits off of Cornelius who had recorded eight strikeouts of his own prior to the big FSC inning. Kaline and Kelvin Clark started the ball rolling for the Mocs with singles before Wade Kirkland drew a walk to load the bases. Following a strikeout, Andrew Grutka drew another walk forcing in Kaline. Zach Maggard then laced a single up the middle to score Clark and Kirkland. Braxton Chisholm then tripled to right center to plate Grutka and Maggard. Chisholm would then score on a single to center by Kyle Gibbs to chase Cornelius.
Russell finally gave way to releiver Patrick Szczerba with one out in the seventh. Szczerba overcame a walk and hit batter to get Jose Vazquez to pop up to end the threat.
Maggard and Chisholm each collected two hits and drive in two runs for the Moccasins while Gibbs also had a pair of hits and Benzel a pair of runs batted in.
The Mocs and Panthers continue their three-game conference series with a double header Saturday at 1 p.m. at Henley Field.
