Box Score CLEARWATER – Freshman centerfielder Ashlyn Worcester set the table in two different innings Sunday, and senior shortstop Jessica Lanci made sure Florida Southern scored in each of them. With Worcester picking up two hits, Lanci driving in three runs, and junior Maggie Roberts adding a pair of RBI, the Moccasins ended the Eckerd College Spring Invitational with a 6-1 win over Lindenwood (MO).
The Moccasins, who are now 4-1, did most of their scoring in the top of the third inning, using five singles, a Lindenwood error, one sacrifice bunt and a sacrifice fly to produce four runs. Worcester (Bloomingdale, Ill.) got them started with a leadoff single out of the #8 spot, and senior Kylee Stearns (Lakeland, Fla.) put down a bunt to move her into scoring position. Stearns also reached when the ball got away at first base. Florida Southern leadoff batter senior Gianni Artidiello (Miami, Fla.) then singled up the middle for the first run of the game.
After an infield hit by junior Jordan Alexander (Valrico, Fla.) loaded the bases, Lanci (Orlando, Fla.) knocked in two more runs with a single to right, and a sacrifice fly by Roberts (Lakeland, Fla.) made it 4-0. The Mocs got another hit from senior Priscilla Gonzalez (Miami, Fla.) before relief pitcher Brooke Miller got the final two outs of the inning to keep it a 4-0 game.
Lanci and Roberts combined for another run in the fifth inning when the Moccasin shortstop walked and came home on a double by their cleanup hitter. Lanci picked up her third RBI with a ground out in the sixth, another inning that started with a leadoff single by Worcester.
In the pitcher's circle, Florida Southern got four innings from sophomore Brandi Jones (Snellville, Ga.) and three from junior Taylor Bowen (Newberry, Fla.). Jones, who improved to 3-0, gave up one run on five hits with one strikeout and no walks. Bowen came in to pitch the final three innings for her first save, surrendering three hits with one strikeout and no walks.
Lindenwood's only run came in the bottom of the third inning when Brooklyn Sisk doubled and scored on a 1-out single by Courtney Kitson. Jones got a strikeout and ground out though to leave two Lions on base.
Lindenwood (0-6) also got three hits from leadoff batter Mallory Eitel, but four of the Lions' eight hits in the game were infield singles.
Florida Southern now returns to Lakeland for its 2015 home opener on Wednesday night, with the Moccasins hosting Colorado Christian in a doubleheader that begins at 5 p.m.
