WINTER PARK, Fla. — The Florida Southern College Moccasins (4-11, 0-3 SSC) faced a tough doubleheader matchup against Rollins College (9-4, 3-0 SSC) on Saturday at Alfond Stadium, ultimately falling 7-4 in the first game and 5-2 in the second.
In game one, despite a spirited effort that included a homer, the Moccasins couldn't overcome the Tars, who capitalized on nine walks to secure their win. Rollins jumped to an early lead in the second inning, scoring three runs.Â
Florida Southern rallied in the fourth inning.
Eli Thurmond reached base on a throwing error and later crossed home plate thanks to a single by
Brady Doorey. Another run scored on a second error, narrowing the gap to 3-2. However, Rollins pulled away again in the fifth inning, adding three runs with Mateo's RBI single and a sacrifice fly by Brown, extending their lead to 6-2.
The Moccasins managed to add another run in the seventh when
Eric Harrison Jr.'s single brought
Ryan Jenkins home. Rollins answered swiftly, maintaining their lead at 7-3. In the ninth, Harrison gave a final push with a solo home run to center field, but it wasn't enough, and Florida Southern fell 7-4.
Jenkins had a standout performance with three hits, including a double, and a run scored. Harrison was impactful with two hits, one a home run, driving in two runs. Doorey contributed with a hit, an RBI, and a run scored.
Ty Bradle started on the mound for the Moccasins, pitching 2 innings and allowing 3 earned runs on 3 hits, alongside 3 walks and 2 strikeouts.
Tanner Rollyson took over, pitching 2 1/3 innings and allowing 2 earned runs on 1 hit, with 2 walks and a strikeout.
John Essig faced two batters without recording an out, giving up 1 earned run on 1 hit and hitting a batter.
Aidan Kelley pitched 2 2/3 innings in relief, surrendering 1 earned run on 1 hit, with 2 walks and 2 strikeouts, while
Colby Rice closed the game, pitching a scoreless inning despite allowing 2 walks.
For the Tars, Hughes led with two RBIs and a .650 OPS. Mateo impressed with two hits and an RBI, posting a 1.000 OPS. O'Sullivan made his mark with two hits, an RBI, and a strong 1.417 OPS, also turning a double play in the field. Pitcher Dennis was dominant, throwing five innings with four strikeouts and no earned runs, achieving a WHIP of 1.00 and earning his third win of the season.
In the second game, Florida Southern faced another challenging matchup against Rollins. The Tars jumped out to a quick lead in the first inning, scoring three runs after Justin Rubin doubled, followed by a single from Mason Furry, who later crossed the plate on a sacrifice fly by Connor O'Sullivan. Eddie Figueroa added another run with an RBI single, giving Rollins a commanding 3-0 advantage right from the start.
Rollins extended their lead in the fifth inning when Matt Matteo launched a solo homer to right center, putting the Tars up 4-0. The Moccasins showed resilience in the seventh, as Harrison Jr. reached base on a walk and scored on a fielder's choice that included a throwing error.
Carson Brady then came home on Thurmond's RBI single, closing the gap to 4-2. However, Rollins responded in the bottom of the inning with a sacrifice fly by Jack Brown, setting the score at 5-2.
Thurmond led Florida Southern's offensive push with two hits and an RBI.
Brock Budacki was solid at the plate, notching two hits and maintaining a perfect 1.000 OPS. Brady added a hit and scored a run, while
Cory Filley contributed a hit to the effort. On the mound,
Elliot Joslin took the lead for 4 2/3 innings, giving up four earned runs on seven hits, including a home run, while striking out three and walking three.
Evan Mobley provided 1 1/3 innings of relief, allowing two hits but no runs.
Casey O'Dell closed out the game with two innings of work, allowing one earned run on three hits, striking out two, and inducing a ground-ball double play.
Looking ahead, Florida Southern is set to face its next challenge against Florida Tech at 6 p.m. ET on Friday, Feb. 27, at Henley Field in Lakeland, Florida.
