Box Score LAKELAND, Fla. – The Florida Southern College softball opened the home portion of its Sunshine State Conference schedule with a 2-0 loss to the University of Tampa. Southern will face the Spartans again on Saturday for a doubleheader at Chris Bellotto Field. The Mocs struggled to get anything going as they had a string of 15 up and 15 down. The Spartans starting pitcher took a no-hitter into the sixth inning. The Mocs are now 7-13 overall and 0-7 in SSC play while Tampa holds a 17-5 overall record and an 8-2 record in conference play.
Senior pitcher Kristen Beacham had an outstanding game despite a pair of runs in the third inning. Beacham threw her sixth complete game on the season as she gave up two runs on six hits. She walked two and struck out one.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Tampa 2, Florida Southern 0
- Beacham would work around a two-out single and a walk to escape the top of the first inning. The Mocs first two batters of the bottom of the first would both reach on errors, however the offense was unable to capitalize as the next three batters would fly out.
- The Spartans strung together three-straight hits with one out to drive in the eventual game-winning run. With a runner on third, the Spartans centerfielder would fly out to centerfield and the runner on third would tag up and give the visitors a 2-0 lead.
- After the first two Moccasins reached on errors, Tampa's Corynn Miller would sit down the next 15 batters. Senior outfielder Alex Mace would end the no-hitter as she led off the bottom of the sixth with a base hit through the right side. Freshman Jessica Bryson would reach on a fielder's choice as Mace beat the throw to second base. Once again the Mocs were in a two-runners on situation. Sophomore outfielder Jadin Dewith would get called out as she was out of the box for the first out of the inning and the next two would go down on fly balls to the left side of the field. Southern would end Miner's bid at a no-hitter and end a stretch of 15 up and 15 down.
- Beacham would work out of a two-out, two-on situation in the top of the seventh as the Spartans threatened to add on to their lead. The bottom of the seventh inning was the same story as the many of the previous innings as three Mocs went to the plate and three went straight back to the dugout.
UP NEXT
The Mocs are amidst a 14-game homestand Chris Bellotto Field as they will play 17 of their 20 games in March at home. Saturday, March 7, the Mocs will close out their conference series with a doubleheader against Tampa. The two games are scheduled for 1 and 3 p.m. This will also be during the Mocs alumni weekend as we welcome back softball alumni from the last 39 years.
