Andrew Grutka and Wade Kirkland hit three-run homers as top-ranked Florida Southern pounded out a 9-2 win over Florida Tech in the opening game of a Sunshine State Conference doubleheader between the two clubs.
Trae Gore got the Mocs rolling early with a lead-off single off Panther starter Randall Thompson (1-1) and then stole second. One out later Kelvin Clark singled setting up Kirkland's three-run blast, his fifth of the season.
The Moccasins (16-1) added four runs in the third as Clark reached on a fielder's choice followed by a singles by Kirkland (scoring Clark) and Tyler Benzel. Grutka then put up his own three-run shot to stake the Mocs to a 7-0 lead.
The Panthers (13-4) scrapped out a run in the fourth off Moccasin starter Eddie Sipple on singles by Josh Hinkle and Brian Flynn. That was all Florida Tech would score off Sipple who struck out five and scattered six hits in picking up his fourth win against no losses for the Mocs.
Florida Southern capped its scoring with a RBI-double by Zach Maggard and a run-scoring single by Braxton Chisholm.
Ryan Wolfe started the seventh for the Mocs in relief of Sipple and closed out the game to pick up his second save of the season.
