Mocs Fall to Eagles in Series Opener

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – The Florida Southern College baseball team lost its opening game against Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University by a 7-1 score on Friday night at the Sliwa Stadium.
 
The Mocs (14-26, 8-14 SSC) allowed early runs while struggling to get on base in the conference loss. The Eagles (25-17, 11-11 SSC) scattered seven runs in the first five innings and held off FSC at the plate to just one run in the SSC win.
 
After a quick three outs for FSC, Embry-Riddle was first to score in the bottom of the first with two runs off three hits. An RBI triple and following RBI single scored two runs for ERAU with a 2-0 lead. Florida Southern was unable to tally a hit until the fourth inning as Embry-Riddle went on to score another two runs in the bottom of the third inning with two hits. Bases loaded, ERAU had an RBI fielder's choice and a sacrifice fly left FSC with a four-run deficit.
 
Back-to-back hits in the top of the fourth by the Moccasins showed some promise as El'Rico Riley and Bryce Safferwich each got on base with a single and double, respectively. An infield groundout by Jack Duffy scored E. Riley, though only a single run was scored with two Mocs left on base. ERAU responded with a solo homer in the bottom of the fourth to maintain its four-run lead and went on to add another two runs in the bottom of the fifth for a 7-1 lead.
 
FSC had singles by Safferwich and Lake Fisher in the later innings, though they were unable to score. From the mound, the Mocs started Tanner Rollyson, who went four innings and was relieved by Wyatt Clark for the final four innings, which the latter kept ERAU scoreless in the final few innings, though early runs were enough to win the game in a 7-1 Eagles victory.
 
Safferwich led the Mocs with two hits, though only four hits combined for FSC. Both Safferwich and E. Riley extended their hitting streaks to 10 straight games. Rollyson was handed the loss and ERAU's Moran was credited with his sixth win of the season. Moran had 11 strikeouts in his complete game and no walks as FSC gave up five free bases with walks and HBP.
 
The Mocs will have game two of the road series tomorrow, April 27, set for a 1 p.m. first pitch at Sliwa Stadium.
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