Fighting Knights Sweep the Mocs Despite Strong Showing From Hickey

LAKELAND, Fla. – Friday afternoon the Florida Southern College Softball team fell in both games of the doubleheader against Lynn University as they were swept in the three-game Sunshine State Conference series.
 
In each game of the doubleheader the Fighting Knights (20-24, SSC 6-18) were held to just three runs, but the Moccasins (8-37, SSC 3-24) were held at or below two runs in the 3-0 and 3-2 losses on the day.
 
FLORIDA SOUTHERN 0, LYNN 3
The first game saw the Mocs pitching excel as the game progressed, halting the Fighting Knights offensive attack from the first game of the series, holding them to just three runs. Ella Torres started in the circle, going an inning and a third before coming off for Kayla Hickey who, in just over five innings of play, surrendered just one hit and walk to pair with tying her season-high in strikeouts with five.
 
In the 3-0 loss, the Mocs had let in just one unearned run after the two earned runs scored in the two innings, but with their four hits and two walks drawn the offense wasn't able to find their way home. Shelbie Valencia was a bright spot offensively though, as she was the lone player for either side to have multiple hits in the game with her two singles. 

FLORIDA SOUTHERN 2, LYNN 3
The offense returned in the final game of the series with each team with seven or more hits with Lynn's ace Madi Prickett returning to the circle and Hickey starting in the final game of the series. Hickey continued to lower her ERA as she allowed no earned runs through the first three innings, but due to an error two runs scored in the top of the second. Amanda Lieberman returned to the circle in the final game of the series for the final four, holding Lynn to just one earned run and allowing the offense a chance to climb back into the game.
 
The Moc offense found two hits in the first inning from Emma Lucchesi and Kate Mikle before the offense returned in full force in the seventh looking to comeback from the three-run deficit. Nei Nei De Jesus started the inning off pinch hitting and drew a walk which was followed by another pinch hitter in Kelly Keating who found a hit immediately after. 
 
The rally continued with a pair of wild pitches allowing the Mocs to move up on the bases and give Cam Nolte a shot to bring a runner in, which she did via a sacrifice fly to bring the Mocs within two. The second wild pitch of the inning brought Keating to third and Gabby Young brought her home with a single, putting the tying run on first. 
 
The rally ended just short after that as Lynn found the final two outs immediately after to close the game and series with a 3-2 final score. 
 
Florida Southern College returns to play April 25, on Chris Bellotto Field hosting Nova Southeastern in the final series of the season. The first pitch is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.
 
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