LAKELAND, Fla. — The Florida Southern College Moccasins (2-7) took a tough loss against Illinois-Springfield (4-0) in a nail-biting 3-2 game under the Friday night lights at Henley Field.
Illinois-Springfield struck first in the fourth with a solo homer to right field after a scoreless three innings on both sides. Florida Southern quickly answered back in the bottom half.
Eric Harrison Jr. singled to shortstop, driving in
Cory Filley, who had doubled, to even the score at 1-1.
In the sixth, UIS regained the lead with Boyette's run-scoring double and a timely RBI single from T. Atkinson, making it 3-1. The Mocs made a strong push in the seventh. After
Brock Budacki drew a walk,
Amir Streeter came in as a pinch runner and scored on
Eli Thurmond's single up the middle, closing the gap to 3-2.
Though Florida Southern's defense held UIS scoreless in the eighth and ninth innings, the offense couldn't quite find the equalizer. The Prairie Stars held on to win 3-2.
Thurmond recorded an RBI and swiped a base, adding to the offensive efforts. Harrison Jr. contributed with two hits and an RBI, while Filley scored once and hit a double, strengthening the lineup.
Sachem Ramos led the pitching staff with 10 strikeouts over six innings, giving up five hits and two earned runs, all while maintaining a WHIP of 0.83 with no walks.
John Essig offered solid relief, pitching two innings with a strikeout and only one hit allowed, also recording a pickoff.
Aidan Kelley and
Casey O'Dell combined to close the game, with Kelley handling 2/3 of an inning and O'Dell facing one batter to secure an out.
The Moccasins are set for a rematch against UIS with a doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 14, back at Henley Field in Lakeland, Florida.
