LAKELAND, Fla. – The Florida Southern College falls short in a 10-7 loss against Florida Tech Friday night at Henley Field.
The Mocs (14-14, 5-5 SSC) hit a two-run homer to start the game, but unable to hold on in the loss. The Panthers (24-7, 8-5 SSC), registering votes in the latest NCBWA poll, rebounded with 11 hits and continued the pressure for a 10-7 win.
Florida Southern scored first in the bottom of the first inning with a two-run homer by
Duncan Hunter, after
Jordan Gaynor continued his strong starting performance with a single through the left side. Into the top of the second with a 2-0 deficit, the Panthers responded with five runs off four hits in the second. Florida Tech started their scoring with a walk while the bases were loaded for their first score. Back-to-back two RBI doubles by Florida Tech and 5-2 lead into the bottom of the second.
The Mocs narrowed the deficit with a solo homer by
Connor Berry in the bottom of the second as Florida Tech stayed ahead 5-3 through two. Both teams were scoreless for the next three innings before Florida Tech extended their lead with a three-run homer by Castillo and 8-3 score in the top of the sixth.
Hunter continued to shine with a two RBI double to left field to start the bottom of the sixth and an 8-5 score. Gaynor and
Nathan Chevalier were the runners scored by Hunter's double. Florida Tech scored two in the top of the seventh after a deep RBI double by Eldridge and RBI single by Garcia to extend their lead to five.
Bases loaded for the Mocs in the bottom of the seventh,
Jared DeSantolo hit a two RBI double to send
Julio Cortez and
Jeff Liquori home and bring the score to a 10-7 Florida Tech advantage. Despite a late push by the Mocs, Florida Tech held on for the 10-7 win.
UP NEXT
The Mocs will continue their weekend series against Florida Tech with a doubleheader tomorrow, beginning at 1 p.m. at Henley Field.
