LAKELAND, Fla. - The Florida Southern College softball team earned a non-conference doubleheader sweep hosting Ursuline College. The Moccasins (11-13) rallied in game one to earn the win with a 5-2 final before dominating game two 8-0 for a 5-inning run-rule over the Arrows (2-6).
FLORIDA SOUTHERN 5, URSULINE 2
FSC attacked first as they got the scoring started with a bases-loaded fielder's choice taking a 1-0 lead after one complete inning. In the circle,
Amanda Lieberman sent the Arrows back to the dugout in order, earning back-to-back strikeout swingings to complete the second inning with the Mocs still up 1-0.
In the top of the third, Ursuline tied the game with an RBI single and then took a 2-1 lead from another RBI single.
Skyler Ralstin leadoff the bottom of the fifth with a single down the leftfield line to get a comeback started and would advance to score on a
Shelbie Valencia sac bunt to tie the game up 2-2.
In the bottom of the sixth, FSC started the rally as
Kelsey Kadlub leadoff with a single to left field,
Cat Buckner came in to pinch run for Kadlub advancing around the bases on an Arrows error and
Kenleigh Smith bunt to get Buckner into scoring position. Buckner ran home to break the tie and make it 3-2 scoring on a fielder's choice. The Mocs added two insurance runs with a ground out and Ralstin RBI single to make it 5-2. The Arrows tried to come up with a late rally of their own, but a two-out single was left stranded as the Mocs won game one 5-2.
From the plate, Ralstin led the way going 3-for-3 with two runs scored and an RBI, while Smith went 2-for-3. Lieberman pitched a complete game improving to 4-1 finishing with a season-high of five strikeouts.
FLORIDA SOUTHERN 8, URSULINE 0
It was a hot first inning for the Mocs, as they opened up with eight runs in the bottom of the first to make a big 8-0 run hard to come back from for the Arrows. Leadoff
Gabby Young walked and advanced to third after
Kiki Morris bunted to get on with a single and have runners on the corners.
A passed ball allowed Young to score and earn a 1-0 lead and Morris to advance into scoring position. After four straight balls, Ralstin walked to first before advancing to second after pitcher
Taylor Thomas singled through the left side to load the bases. With Valencia up and bases loaded the third baseman reached on an error to score Morris and take a 2-0 lead. FSC continued to stay hot with no outs as designated player
Kate Mikle singled to right field for an RBI to score Ralstin. The first out of the inning still benefited the Mocs as
Jadyn Bushnell hit a sacrifice fly to increase the Mocs lead to 4-0.
Florida Southern would finish the inning tacking on four more runs as Smith singled to bring in Valencia, and Young hit a triple to deep left center field bringing home Smith and Mikle for a 7-0 lead. The final run for the Mocs was awarded to Morris scoring Young with a single through the right side for a demanding 8-0 lead.
In the following inning, Ursuline leadoff with a single and put two in scoring position but the Mocs defense was able to get the Arrows scoreless. In the top of the fourth, Ursuline loaded the bases on three singles, but a pop-up to Valencia got the Mocs out of a bind with bases loaded. The Arrows once again rallied in the top of the fifth hitting back-to-back singles to lead off but both runners were stranded as the Mocs defense got the next three outs to finish the game in five innings with an 8-0 win on Chris Bellotto Field.
In the circle, Thomas earns her first win pitching five innings to earn the shutout. She also went 2-for-3 from the plate with one run scored. Morris also finished going 2-for-3, followed by Young going 1-for-2 with two runners batted in.
Florida Southern returns to action on Tuesday, March 12 as they host Hillsdale College in a doubleheader. The first pitch is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. on Chris Bellotto Field.
