LAKELAND, Fla. — Florida Southern College (3-8) split a doubleheader against the University of Illinois Springfield (5-1), suffering a tough 5-1 loss in the first game before bouncing back with an impressive 11-1 victory in the second matchup at Henley Field on Saturday.

Game 1 Overview  
Florida Southern took a tough 5-1 loss to UIS despite racking up 10 hits. The Prairie Stars jumped to a 3-0 lead in the first inning, capitalizing on an error by the Mocs that allowed the first run, followed by a two-run single from Kaden Griffitts. The Mocs showed some fight in the fourth, with freshman Eric Harrison Jr. walking and crossing the plate on a single by sophomore Carson Brady, cutting the deficit to 4-1. However, UIS extended its lead to 5-1 in the fifth inning, and Florida Southern struggled to convert its hits into runs.

Graduate student Mikey Scott had a standout performance with two hits and a stolen base, leading the team with an OPS of 1.100. Freshman Jayce Rollins shone on the mound, pitching four innings, striking out five, and allowing just two hits. Brady also contributed offensively with two hits and an RBI, boasting an OPS of 1.000, while junior Eli Thurmond added two hits of his own, maintaining an OPS of 1.000.

Graduate student Christian Carew started for the Mocs, pitching 2.1 innings and allowing four runs on four hits, with three strikeouts and three walks. Junior Tanner Rollyson came in for relief, pitching 2.2 innings, giving up one earned run on two hits, with one strikeout and two walks. Rollins closed the game with a solid 4-inning performance, not allowing any runs, giving up just two hits, and striking out five without issuing a walk, achieving a WHIP of 0.50.

Corey Boyette had a big game for UIS, scoring twice and recording two hits, earning an OPS of 1.417. Griffitts led with three RBI for a team-high OPS of 1.750, while Tommy Atkinson added two hits, one a double, and an RBI, posting an OPS of 1.250. 

Game 2 Overview  
In a dramatic turnaround, Florida Southern stormed to an 11-1 victory against UIS in the second game, fueled by a six-run fourth inning. The Mocs tallied 11 runs on 10 hits and drew 12 walks, while their pitchers combined for 11 strikeouts and allowed just three hits.

Florida Southern's offense was on fire, starting with graduate student Mikey Scott's two-run single in the first, driving in classmate Gavin Smith and senior Cory Filley. The Prairie Stars managed an unearned run in the second inning, but the Mocs responded, extending their lead to 3-1 when freshman Brock Budacki scored on a balk. The fourth inning was explosive, highlighted by a wild pitch that allowed Budacki to score, followed by an RBI single from senior Ryan Jenkins and a two-RBI double by sophomore Carson Brady, pushing the lead to a commanding 9-1. Jenkins further widened the gap with another RBI single in the fifth.

Jenkins had a standout game, driving in three runs and drawing three walks. Filley contributed with two hits, two runs, and one RBI, while Scott added a hit, two RBI, a run, and a stolen base. Senior Elliot Joslin excelled on the mound, pitching six innings, allowing just two hits, striking out six, and securing the win, facing 24 batters with a 1.00 WHIP. Senior Robert Tracy III provided sturdy relief, pitching two innings with five strikeouts, conceding only one hit and one walk, maintaining a 1.00 WHIP over 36 pitches.

As the Mocs prepare for their next encounter, they'll host UIS again on Sunday, Feb. 15 at 1 p.m. at Henley Field in Lakeland, Florida. Read Full Article