LAKELAND, Fla. - The Florida Southern College softball team dropped a tough loss at home as they fell in game one 8-2 before forcing extra innings in game two falling 6-5 in eight innings to Hillsdale on Chris Bellotto Field.
With the loss, the Moccasins fall to 11-14 on the season while the Mustangs improve to 8-8.
FLORIDA SOUTHERN 2, HILLSDALE 8
The Mocs put two hits on the board first with back-to-back singles from
Kiki Morris and
Skyler Ralstin, but both were left stranded. The Chargers felt the pressure and answered with an RBI single to score the game's first run and take a 1-0 lead.
In the top of the third, Hillsdale added to their lead, scoring on an RBI single and a 3-run homer to give the Chargers a 5-0 lead. Florida Southern quickly answered in the bottom of the inning with a leadoff single from
Gabby Young, who moved into scoring position on a walk to Morris. The Mocs had a double steal, moving Young and Morris to second and third.
Taylor Thomas stepped up hitting the ball deep to left field for a double scoring Young and Morris.
With the Chargers still up 5-2, the Mocs hit two back-to-back singles in the bottom of the fourth from
Cat Buckner and
Kenleigh Smith, but FSC could not bring two runners over home plate. In the top of the fifth, Hillsdale tacked on three additional runs, putting the game out of reach for FSC.
In the circle,
Amanda Lieberman got the nod pitching 2.2 innings, while
Kayla Hickey came into relief, pitching 4.1 innings and striking out four batters.
The Mocs ended the game with eight hits to the Chargers 12, as Young, Morris, Ralstin, Thomas, Smith, Buckner,
Jadyn Bushnell, and
Morgan Roden all had a hit.
FLORIDA SOUTHERN 5, HILLSDALE 6
The Mustangs continued the hot hitting from game one and started strong, scoring two runs in the top of the first inning.
Florida Southern cut the Hillsdale lead in half with a Ralstin's RBI single to the right field scoring Young to make it 2-1 after three complete innings. In the bottom of the fourth, the Mocs tied the game as designated player
Riley Onisawa hit a sacrifice fly to tie the game up at 2-2.
In the next inning, the Mustangs took back the lead with a three-run homer, taking a 5-2 advantage. Thomas tacked on another run on a two out RBI single to start the Mocs comeback.
In the bottom of the seventh inning, FSC rallied to come back as Thomas doubled to right center field, scoring Ralstin and Young to tie the game and force extra innings.
The top of the eighth, the Mustangs quickly got a runner on and took a one run lead with an RBI single to make it 6-5 and earn the sweep.
Thomas led the Mocs from the plate going 2-for-4 and 3 RBIs. In the circle, Thomas also pitched a complete game allowing just five hits, while FSC had 11 in game two.
Florida Southern returns to action tomorrow evening with a doubleheader against Bloomsburg University. The first pitch is scheduled for 5:00 p.m.
