Moccasins Split Home Doubleheader With Third-Ranked Tampa

LAKELAND - Florida Southern concluded its three-game Sunshine State Conference weekend series against No. 3 ranked Tampa here Saturday afternoon by splitting a doubleheader against the Spartans at Henley Field.

The Mocs used a six run fifth inning and solid relief pitching from junior lefthander Steven Burnham (Valrico, Fla.) to post an 8-5 win in the first game (Box Score), before UT's offense exploded for 17 hits en route to earning a 10-3 win (Box Score) in the nightcap to take two of three games in the series.

With the split, the Moccasins fell to 15-18 overall on the season and 7-5 in the SSC, while UT improved to 28-6 overall and 11-4 in the SSC.

In Saturday's first game, the Mocs recorded a season-high tying 13 hits, including a three-hit performance from sophomore third baseman Keith Curcio (Sarasota, Fla.). Three other Mocs had two hits in the win.

UT, who won Friday's series opener, 6-1, jumped in front 1-0 in the third inning thanks to two singles, a sacrifice bunt and a sacrifice fly off the bat of Michael Danner that plated Sean O'Brien for the game's first run. O'Brien had led off the inning with an infield single off of junior starting pitcher Alex Norris (Clearwater, Fla.).

The Mocs tied the game in the bottom of the fourth inning on an RBI single through the left side by senior first baseman Kyle Jackson (Avon Park, Fla.) off of UT starter Jon Keller, which plated redshirt freshman rightfielder Dominic Brugnoni (St. Clair Shores, Mich.), who had led off the inning with a single to right and moved to second on a groundout by junior second baseman Conor Szczerba (Titusville, Fla.). The RBI by Jackson was his 21st of the season. 

UT retook the lead in the fifth inning as they plated two runs on three hits and a walk to push in front 3-1. In the inning, Danner delievered a run scoring single deep in the hole at shortstop and Tyler Ding followed the single with a sacrifice fly off of Norris.

The Mocs took the lead in the bottom of the fifth inning as they sent 11 batters to the plate, recorded five hits and scored six runs to take a 7-3 lead. In the inning, sophomore catcher Joey Miller (Sarasota, Fla.) led off with a double and scored on a single to right center by sophomore third baseman Keith Curcio (Sarasota, Fla.). The Mocs would load the bases with one out as senior shortstop Kyle Gibbs (Sarasota, Fla.) was hit a Keller pitch and Brugnoni drew a walk that chased Keller from the game.

FSC scored its next run as Szczerba drew a bases loaded walk from reliever Caleb Kellogg, who replaced Keller. The Mocs next run came in on an RBI single to right by senior leftfielder Austin Jackson (Deltona, Fla.) and tied the game on a sacrifice fly by Kyle Jackson. The Mocs final two runs in the inning on RBI singles by freshman designated hitter Christian Magno (Longwood, Fla.) and Miller.

The 7-3 lead was enough for Norris (2-2) to pick up his second win of the season as he pitched five innings and allowed five hits and three runs, while walking five and striking out one. Norris was replaced by Burnham after throwing 93 pitches in five innings.

FSC got some insurance runs for Burnham in the bottom of the sixth inning on an RBI single to right by Szczerba that plated Curcio, who had led off the inning with an infield single. Szczerba's single snapped an 0-for-7 drought at the plate in the UT series for the Polk State transfer.  

The Spartans would strike for two runs in the eighth inning thanks to two hits and an error by Curcio to pull within 8-5.

In the ninth, Burnham, who threw 71 pitches in his four inning relief effort, retired the Spartans in order to earn his first career save. In four innings, the Polk State transfer allowed three hits and two runs (two earned runs), while walking two and striking out one.

Along with Curcio's three hits and two runs scored, Brugnoni, Kyle Jackson and Miller each had two hits in the win, while Szczerba and Kyle Jackson each had two RBIs.

UT finished with eight hits as O'Brien recorded two of those eight hits in the loss.

Keller (1-3) took the loss on the hill for the Spartans as he pitched 4.1 innings and allowed seven hits and five runs, while walking one and fanning three.

Meanwhile, in the nightcap, UT jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the third inning as they scored two runs on three hits off of junior starter Brian Johnson (Oldsmar, Fla.).

The Mocs got one of those two runs back in the bottom of the third inning on a sacrifice fly off the bat of Szczerba. Szczerba's fly ball to center allowed redshirt junior centerfielder J.J. Downum (Land O'Lakes, Fla.) to score from third. Downum led off the inning with an infield single and moved to second when Curcio drew a walk from UT starting pitcher Eric Luksis.

UT would add to its lead in the fifth inning as they scored three runs on three hits to take a 5-2 lead. The big hit in the inning was a 2-run single to right center by O'Brien off of Johnson.

Johnson (3-4) took the loss in the nightcap as he threw five innings and allowed nine hits and five runs, while walking two and striking out one.

The Spartans lead grew to 9-1 in the sixth inning as UT recorded six hits and scored four run in the inning off of junior reliever Nate Carter (Boca Raton, Fla.). The big hit in the inning was a 2-run double down the left field line by Danner, who finished the nightcap 5-for-5 at the plate with two runs scored and 4 RBIs. The other two runs came in on a lead off solo homer by Adam Pendleton and an RBI single by O'Brien, who finished with two hits and 3 RBIs in the nightcap.

FSC would dent the scoreboard again in the bottom of the sixth inning on a two-out solo home run over the 385 sign in right center by senior catcher Brad Carlton (Arcadia, Fla.) off of UT reliever Preston Packrall. The homer by Carlton was his team-leading fifth of the season and only the 10th allowed by the UT pitching staff this season.

UT would plate another run in the seventh inning on an RBI double by Danner off of Mocs junior reliever Nick Krolczyk (Coral Springs, Fla.) to push its lead to 10-2.

In the bottom of the seventh, the Mocs made things interesting as they scored a run on a sacrifice fly by Szczerba and loaded the bases with two outs thanks to a single by senior pinch hitter Colin Kish (Philadelphia, Pa.), a walk issed by Packrall to Jackson and a fielder's choice by Magno. But Packrall would end the threat by forcing Carlton to foul out to third base to end the game.

The Mocs finished the nightcap with six hits as Downum was 2-for-3 at the plate. One Moc that did not record a hit in the nightcap was Curcio, who was 0-for-1 at the plate, to snap his seven game hitting streak.

In addition to Danner's five hits, Connor Obrochta, Jake Schrader and O'Brien each had two hits in the win for the Spartans, while Jacob Tillotson and Obrochta each scored three times.

Luksis (4-1) earned the win on the mound for the Spartans as he threw five innings and allowed two hits and one run, while walking four and striking out four. Packrall pitched the final two innings and allowed four hits and two runs, while walking one and fanning one.

The Mocs will return to action next weekend as they travel to Fort Lauderdale for a three-game series at Nova Southeastern. The teams will open the series with a 6 p.m. game on Friday, April 12, before playing a doubleheader on Saturday, April 13 beginning at 1 p.m.