LAKELAND, Fla. - The Florida Southern College softball team faced the #4 University of Tampa on Sunday afternoon to conclude the Sunshine State Conference series falling 3-1.
The Moccasins (12-21, 4-8 SSC) were led by
Jadyn Bushnell going 2-for-2 from the plate followed by leadoff batter
Gabby Young also contributing two hits. In the circle,
Taylor Thomas came into pitch relief throwing 6.2 innings allowing no runs and four hits while striking out two.
The Spartans (28-4, 10-2 SSC) were led by Lilly Kiester and Megan deVilliers as they both went 2-for-4. In the circle, Gwen McGinnis (6-2) pitched 6.1 innings allowing just one run on six hits.
All of the scoring happened in the first inning, as Tampa led off with a walk and an FSC error to get an early 1-0 lead. The Spartans scored to make it 2-0 with an RBI double and followed with an RBI single to get a 3-0 lead after just one inning of action.
FSC cut Tampa's lead to just two as a two-out RBI double from Thomas scored
Kate Mikle to make it 3-1 with a lot of game left to play.
Both teams had several opportunities, as the Mocs tried to force extras in the bottom of the seventh as
Shelbie Valencia and Young hit back-to-back singles to get into scoring position. The Spartans had a pitching change and quickly got the next two outs, not allowing FSC to score another run.
Florida Southern returns to action on Thursday, March 28 as they travel to face Saint Leo in a single game before facing the Lions in a doubleheader on Friday, March 29. The first pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. at the University Softball Stadium.
