Mocs Fall to Eckerd in Midweek Battle

Box Score LAKELAND, Fla. - The Florida Southern College baseball team lost 8-6 to Eckerd College after a late comeback fell short Tuesday night at Henley Field.
 
The Mocs (1-3,0-0 SSC) gained momentum in the fifth to tie the game, but were unable to rebound from a tough sixth inning. The Tritons (3-1, 0-0 SSC) scored five runs in the sixth to put the game out of reach from Florida Southern. 
 
A solo home run from Drew Cavanaugh in the bottom of the second was the first score of the game as the Mocs went up 1-0. 
 
The Tritons tied the game in the fourth but took the lead in the top of the fifth, scoring two runs after a double and an error in left field. 
 
The Mocs answered in the bottom of the same inning, with three singles that brought Rohsean Riley in for a run. D'Ante Starks followed with a run batted in by Jeff Liquori. By the end of the fifth, the game was tied 3-3.
 
In the sixth, the visitors pulled away from the home team, scoring five runs in one inning. Three singles to right, center, and right field allowed two runs for the Tritons. Once the visitors had the bases loaded, Andrew Williamson came in to pitch for the Mocs, but was unable to prevent the Tritons from scoring. Two Tritons scored on a base hit to center field, and the visitors' third out came in the same play as the batter was caught advancing to second.
 
With two men in scoring position after a wild pitch in the bottom of the sixth, the Mocs had the opportunity to score but failed to do so, leaving the home team four runs back. The Mocs would stay in this position until the bottom of the eighth as they kept the Tritons scoreless in the seventh and eighth. 
 
Two singles in the eighth from Mitch Donofrio and Connor Berry, followed by Cavanaugh gaining a base on balls, set the home team up for success when Bryce Safferwich came up to bat. Safferwich's single to left field brought Donofrio and Berry in, changing the score to 8-6.
 
After another scoreless inning for the Tritons in the ninth, the Mocs had one last opportunity to change the outcome of the game. A double hit to center field put Jevin Relaford in scoring position, but no other hits followed to bring him home for a run. The game concluded with a flyout in right field.
 
The loss adds up to the Mocs' largest margin of defeat so far this season. FSC started Jordan Fox on the mound, who went 4.2 innings and Christian Suarez ended as the losing pitcher with four earned runs after relieving Justin Wit. 
 
Next up, the Mocs will hit the road for a three-game series against the University of North Georgia, beginning on Feb. 10.