Softball Drops Series Finale to the Argonauts

PENSACOLA, Fla. – Florida Southern softball dropped the series finale to the West Florida Argonauts, 4-0, Saturday afternoon after a delayed start at UWF Softball Complex. The Moccasins scattered five hits over the seven innings led by Kiki Morris with two base hits.
 
Florida Southern (3-4) completed the series with five hits led by Kiki Morris who went 2-for-3 from the lead-off spot. Skyler Ralstin, Kelly Keating, and Shelbie Valencia each notched a hit in the game.
 
West Florida (4-3) swept the series with the win while scoring one run in the third and three in the fourth, also tallying five hits in the win.  Madelyn Vasquez led the team with a pair of hits as Hannah Harper, Jessie Baughan, and Jessica Ford each notched one.
 
Ashley Blessin (1-1) tossed four innings after getting the nod in the circle before turning it over to Ella Torres who came in for the two-inning relief appearance. In eight batters faced, Torres allow just one hit and one walk, keeping the Argos at bay down the stretch.
 
Kiki Morris started the game off with a base knock to left field on a 2-2 pitch. Morris would advance to second but was stranded as the inning came to close.
 
Florida Southern would threaten again in the next three innings leaving one runner on in the second, two on in the third, and the bases juiced in the top of the fifth. Back-to-back walks to open the fifth by Gabby Young and Kiki Morris saw a quick pitching change for the Argos.
 
Ralstin would ground out to second but advance Young and Morris to the next base. Destiny Colgate would make contact, but a ground out to third held the runners in check pushing it to two in scoring position with two outs. Taylor Thomas stepped into the box and drew the walk after battling seven pitches to make the bases full. On a 1-0 pitch, Thomas popped up to the shortstop to cut the Mocs momentum and threat.
 
Ella Torres would come in to pitch and work a 1-2-3 inning before the Argos' Hannah Harper returned the favor with a 1-2-3 top of the sixth.
 
In the top of the seventh, with two outs, Skyler Ralstin would double to right center to give the Mocs life but was short lived as Colgate grounded out on a 0-1 pitch to close the game, stranding the ninth runner on base for Florida Southern.
 
Florida Southern opens Sunshine State Conference play when the Moccasins travel to Melbourne to take on the Panthers of Florida Tech at Nancy Bottge Field. First pitch is slated for 7:00 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 16.