LAKELAND, Fla. - The Florida Southern College softball team's home slate of games continued as they hosted Bloomsburg University in a midweek doubleheader. The Moccasins (12-16, 4-5 SSC) split the non-conference games, falling in the opening game 3-1, but came back to defeat the Huskies (8-4, 0-0 PSAC) 3-2 in game two.
FLORIDA SOUTHERN 1, BLOOMSBURG, 3
Bloomsburg scored early in the top of the first inning as the Huskies led off with a single to get a runner on base early. A fielder's choice forced the lead runner out, but BU still put a run on the board early with an RBI double to right center, 1-0.
Pitcher
Taylor Thomas hit a triple deep into right-center field to lead off the bottom of the second.
Jadyn Bushnell hit the equalizer scoring Thomas tying the game at 1-1. The tie was short-lived as the Huskies jumped right back ahead scoring on an RBI single down the left field line on two outs in the top of the third. In the bottom of the third, leadoff batter
Kenleigh Smith doubled down the left-field line to get into scoring position and look to start a rally. Smith advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt but was left stranded 90 feet from home plate.
Kelsey Kadlub doubled down the right field line to put the first baseman into scoring position in the bottom of the fourth. Kadlub advanced on the throw to third but a groundout left her stranded and the Mocs still trail 3-1. Thomas and the Mocs defense went to work in the next two innings, sending the Huskies to the dugout in order to head into the bottom of the sixth with no damage done.
Bushnell had the last hit for the Mocs to conclude the game, as FSC fell in game one. Florida Southern had five hits as the shortstop led FSC going 2-for-3 with one RBI. Thomas, Smith, and Kadlub made up the other three hits with Kadlub and Smith hitting doubles, and Thomas with a triple.
FLORIDA SOUTHERN 3, BLOOMSBURG 2
The Mocs bats came to life to open up game two as leadoff
Gabby Young started the hitting with a single to right field. Back-to-back singles from
Skyler Ralstin and Thomas loaded the bases for Kadlub. Kadlub hit a 2-run RBI double to center field putting FSC on the board first. The Mocs were not done as Bushnell put the third run on the board with an RBI groundout to give FSC an early 3-0 lead.
In a quick second inning, Bloomsburg looked to the third as they rallied to cut into the Mocs 3-0 lead, scoring with an RBI single down the left field line to make it 3-1. With two quiet innings from both teams, the Huskies closed within one run of the Mocs in the top of the sixth scoring on an RBI double to deep right center field. Right-handed pitcher
Amanda Lieberman (5-2) would get the final out of the inning leaving the runner stranded at second with a strikeout swinging not to allow BU to tie the game, 3-2.
In the bottom of the sixth, Ralstin led off with a single and advanced into scoring position from a single down the right-field line from Kadlub. With just one out, FSC had opportunities but the Huskies defense kept the Mocs from increasing its 3-2 lead.
The Mocs defense kept the Huskies from tying the game in the top of the seventh to earn the doubleheader split. In the circle, Lieberman collected her fifth win pitching a complete game with three strikeouts. From the plate, Kadlub and Ralstin led the way, both going 2-for-3 with Kadlub bringing two batters in.
Florida Southern returns for the final non-conference game of the season as they host Adelphi in a Sunday matinee. The first pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m. on Sunday, March 17.
