WINTER PARK, Fla. – The Florida Southern College softball team opened Sunshine State Conference play this weekend traveling to take on Rollins College in the series opener on Friday evening. The Moccasins (1-8, 0-1 SSC) fell 2-0 after the Tars (3-2, 1-0 SSC) scored early in the first two innings of play.
FSC was led by senior
Shelbie Valencia going 2-for-3 from the plate, while Rollins was led by lead off batter graduate student Grace Germer also going 2-for-3 with a run scored.
To open up action it was actually the Mocs to get the first runner on with a walk to lead off batter
Keira Morris, but lefty pitcher, Emily MacMullen and the Tars defense was able to get out of the inning with no damage done.
In the bottom of the inning, Rollins lead off with a single to right field and moved into scoring position after another single through the left side. A double steal allowed both runners into scoring position at second and third before a sacrifice fly put the first run on the board for Rollins.
In the top of the second, a two out single from
Morgan Roden gave Florida Southern the first hit of the game, but nothing came across for the Mocs as the Tars stepped up to bat. A lead off double and stolen base allowed Rollins to get within 90 feet of scoring. With a sacrifice fly to right field, the Tars added another insurance run to the board and headed into the third inning with a 2-0 lead.
In the top of the fourth, FSC had an opportunity to put runs on the board and cut the Tars lead as Valencia singled and
Kate Mikle doubled to put both runners into scoring position with just one out. Roden loaded the bases with a two out walk, but the Mocs were left stranded as ground out forced the Mocs to head into the bottom of the inning scoreless.
Jadyn Bushnell and Valencia each had singles in the next two innings through the left side but the Mocs could not find the momentum to bring a runner across the plate and cut into the Tars early 2-0 lead, as they dropped game one of the three game series at Rollins.
Florida Southern returns to action on Saturday, Feb. 15 as they head back to Winter Park to conclude the series with a doubleheader. The first pitch is scheduled for 12:00 p.m.
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