ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Florida Southern softball opened the Sunshine State Conference series against Eckerd College with a 3-2 loss at Turley Athletic Complex in St. Petersburg, Fla.
The Moccasins (6-12, 2-5 SSC) were led by
Skyler Ralstin going 2-for-4, and
Jadyn Bushnell going 1-for-2 and an RBI. The Tritons (6-10, 3-4 SSC) had to finish with perfect at bats, Mia Hernandez and Hannah Taylor both went 2-for-2 from the plate, with Taylor hitting two homers.
FLORIDA SOUTHERN 2, ECKERD 3
Ashley Blessin (2-4) tossed a complete game to open the series allowing three runs on six hits while striking out seven batters.
Gabby Young got the bats started early with a leadoff single and moved into scoring position on a double to Ralstin, but was stranded. In the bottom of the second, Eckerd tacked on a run first as Taylor led off with a homer over the left-center field fence to make it 1-0. The Tritons Hernandez hit an RBI single increasing Eckerd's lead to 2-0.
Shelbie Valencia led off in the top of the fifth with a single to left field and advanced into scoring position in the next at-bat off a sac bunt from
Kelsey Kadlub. Valencia scored from an RBI single to right center from Bushnell to cut the Triton's lead down to just one run.
In the bottom of the sixth, Taylor hit her second homer of the game, this time over the left field fence to increase Eckerd's lead to 3-1.
In the top of the seventh, the Mocs rallied to catch the Tritons adding a run from pinch runner,
Kenleigh Smith scoring on a passed ball to make it 3-2.
Florida Southern returns to action tomorrow against Eckerd as they take the field for an 11 am first pitch at the Turley Athletic Complex.
