LAKELAND, Fla. – The home opener for the Florida Southern College baseball team was a success as the Mocs beat conference opponent Saint Leo 4-1 in the weekend series opener at Historic Henley Field on Friday night.
The Mocs (4-4, 1-0) tied the game 1-1 in the fourth, and climbed to a three-run lead into the ninth inning. The Lions (6-4, 0-1) flew out on three straight batters to seal the Moccasin victory. Florida Southern improves to five straight home opener wins.
Saint Leo singled to left center to start the game, but the quick throw by
Nathan Madej picked him off to again empty the bases. Madej struck out the next two batters to finish out the first inning. The Mocs stayed scoreless through the first three innings of the game, despite a booming shot by
Jeff Liquori that was picked off at the fence by the Lions.
The top of the fourth found the first score of the game as the Lions singled to right field for an easy run by the Lions sitting at third base. The Mocs tied the game in the bottom of the fourth as
Nathan Chevalier doubled to left field and made their way around after
Seth Cannady notched the RBI. Madej tallied three straight strikeouts to retire the Lions in the top of the fifth, for
Joe Raffaele to score on a balk and 2-1 lead for the Mocs.
Both teams were scoreless in the sixth inning, before the Mocs continued their strong hitting by
Grady Maguire and Raffaele, as Chevalier earned his second RBI of the night on a sacrifice fly to center field. With a 3-1 lead into the eighth, Florida Southern went to
Christian Suarez to pitch and retired the inning with a swinging strikeout as the Lions left one on base. An error by the Lions brought Conner Berry home and 4-1 lead into the last inning of the game.
With a three-run lead, the Mocs entered the ninth inning with
Dawson Lane to pitch as three straight fly outs seal the Florida Southern 4-1 win over Saint Leo. Madej gets credit for the win as Lane's appearance in the ninth gave him the save.
UP NEXT
The Mocs continue with game two of their weekend series against the Lions tomorrow afternoon, set for a 1 p.m. start at Henley Field.
