FSC Unable to Match Big Inning in 8-3 Loss to NSU

LAKELAND, Fla. – A difficult fourth inning for the Florida Southern College baseball team put the game out of reach with an 8-3 loss against Nova Southeastern University on Saturday afternoon at Henley Field.
 
The Mocs (14-24, 8-12) gave up six runs in the fourth and were unable to catch up in subsequent innings in the game-two loss. The Sharks (21-15, 11-9 SSC) capitalized on a big inning in the fourth to climb to a 6-0 lead and didn't look back with the 8-3 series-clinching win.
 
A change of pace from last night's game, neither team scored in the first three innings to allow the pitchers to work. Marcos Herrand had the start for the Mocs and had a productive three innings after only giving up two hits to start the game. On the opposite side, Alex Valentin had the start for the Sharks and held FSC hitless in the first three of his work.
 
NSU scored the first runs of the day in the top of the fourth with a six-run inning with five hits and an HBP. Back-to-back singles and an HBP loaded the bases for an RBI single by Sagaro. Cooper followed with a three RBI double and a two-run homer by Loriga ended the six runs and big lead for NSU.
 
In the bottom of the fourth, El'Rico Riley had the first hit for the Moccasins to lead off the inning. Back-to-back walks loaded the bases but a sacrifice fly by Rohsean Riley brought in the first run. Two straight-outs left two stranded as the Mocs cut into the NSU lead for a 6-1 Sharks score through four.
 
Both teams went scoreless in the fifth inning with three outs, though NSU added a single run from a solo homer by Garcia in the top of the sixth. FSC responded with a strong opportunity in the bottom half after a single by Bryce Safferwich and walks for Jaiden Warde and R. Riley to load the bases. Tilden Agee was walked for the RBI and Chris McKenna had an infield single to score another run with one out still. The inning ended with two left on a tough double play, though FSC scored two to cut the NSU lead to four.
 
Lucas Perez entered in the seventh in relief and had a great first inning with two strikeouts to allow FSC a chance to cut into the lead more in the bottom seventh. Nick Collins had a leadoff single and a walk allowed two on base, though all were left on with three outs. Perez had the top of the eighth with a tough bases-loaded situation to give up a single run from a walk, though a third out on a swinging strikeout left three on to keep an 8-3 NSU lead.
 
Mocs could not respond in the bottom of the eighth despite a McKenna single, though Evan Mobley entered in relief to keep NSU scoreless and a five-run deficit into the final inning. E. Riley was walked with two outs but was left on in the final out with an 8-3 NSU final.
 
McKenna led the team with two hits on the day, though FSC was outhit by NSU 11-to-5. E. Riley and Safferwich each recorded a hit to keep their hitting streaks alive as Safferwich extended his to nine games and E. Riley to eight games. In a change of last night's game, NSU allowed seven walks to FSC's four, though FSC had four HBP among its three pitchers. Herrand was handed the loss and Valentin was awarded the win, his third of the season.
 
The Mocs conclude their series against the Sharks tomorrow, Sunday, April 21, with the first pitch scheduled for 1 p.m. at Henley Field.
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