LAKELAND, Fla. - The Florida Southern College softball team put up a hard fight against No. 4 the University of the Tampa as they forced nine innings in game one to fall 1-0, before rallying in game two with a 2-1 loss in regulation.
The Moccasins (12-20, 4-7 SSC) were led by
Kelsey Kadlub on the day, going 2-for-5 with a double and a run scored batting .400 in the doubleheader. For the Spartans, (27-4, 9-2 SSC) Lilly Kiester led the way with three hits on the day as
Amanda Lieberman kept Tampa to just two hits and
Ashley Blessin to four in game one. In game two,
Mel Rogers kept the Spartans from having a hit until the fifth as Rogers pitched six innings allowing just three hits against the ranked opponent.
FLORIDA SOUTHERN 0, TAMPA 1
The Mocs opened up the series against the top team in the conference with confidence as they did not allow a single run until the final inning forcing the game into extras. Tampa struck early with a bunt in the opening inning to advance the runner into scoring position after a lead-off walk, but FSC defense was able to force three outs to leave the game scoreless.
It was a quick three innings until the top of the third when the Spartans hit a two-single that advanced to third from a stolen base and error, but the Mocs were able to keep it scoreless and leave the runner stranded 60 feet from home.
In the bottom of the third and fourth, FSC added the first hits of the game as a two-out single from
Gabby Young in the third and another two-out single from
Jadyn Bushnell added two hits on the board for the Mocs. Tampa added another two hits, but could not bring a runner across as the third two-out single from FSC this one from Kadlub would force the game into extras. The eighth inning was three up, three down from both teams which brought the game to the top of the ninth where the Spartans made their move.
To lead off Mariah Galhouse doubled to center field to get into scoring position and advance to third on a sac bunt. With two outs, Alexa Russo had the only hit of the game when it counted to score Galhouse and take a 1-0 lead to win game one.
FLORIDA SOUTHERN 1, TAMPA 2
Game two started the same as game one, except the Mocs had the first hit of the game from
Skyler Ralstin in the bottom of the first.
Shelbie Valencia added the second hit for FSC in the bottom of the third, as Rogers and company kept the Spartans from earning a hit until the top of the fifth as Lexie Chevalier singled up the middle to make the no hitter out of reach.
In the top of the sixth, Kiester hit a two-out single to threaten the scoreless game. Kiester would move around the bases, scoring on an RBI single to make it 1-0. In the top of the seventh another two-out single threatened the Mocs defense as Tampa added an insurance run with an RBI double to make it 2-0.
In the bottom of the seventh, FSC rallied, cutting the Spartans lead in half with a one-out double from Kadlub to put the junior in scoring position. Now with two outs,
Riley Onisawa changed places with Kadlub scoring to make it a one-run game. Valencia singled to second base to put runners at the corner, allowing the Mocs to get into position to score, but an unassisted groundout gave Tampa a 2-1 win to sweep the doubleheader.
In game two, Valencia led the way going 2-for-3 from plate as the other five hits for FSC came in from Ralstin, Kadlub, and Onisawa.
Florida Southern returns to Chris Bellotto Field tomorrow, March 24 as they conclude the series with a single game slated for 1 p.m.
