LAKELAND, Fla. — No. 10 Florida Southern College baseball (2-3) clinched a 9-6 win over Young Harris College (3-2) on Friday night at Henley Field, thanks to a decisive five-run burst in the eighth inning that broke a late tie. The Moccasins racked up 13 hits and drew six walks, while their pitchers combined for an impressive 18 strikeouts.

The Moccasins jumped ahead early in the first inning against the Mountain Lions. Mikey Scott and Ryan Jenkins got things started, with Jenkins reaching third on a bunt single by Colby Brewington. Cory Filley walked to load the bases, and Gavin Smith also drew a walk to bring Jenkins home for the first run. Eric Harrison Jr.'s single down the right field line drove in Brewington and Filley, and Smith scored on a play at second, giving the Mocs a solid 4-0 lead.

Young Harris rallied in the fifth, scoring three runs. Jace Smith hit a leadoff home run, and two more runs followed due to a pair of throwing errors, tightening the score to 4-3. The Mountain Lions tied it up in the sixth with an RBI double by Juan Hernandez, making it 4-4.

In the seventh, Young Harris took the lead with a two-run homer by Kyle Smallwood, pulling ahead 6-4. But the Mocs roared back in the eighth. Carson Brady reached on a throwing error and moved up on a single by Will Burke. Eli Thurmond bunted for a single to load the bases. Scott's sacrifice fly brought Brady home, followed by Jenkins' two-RBI single to left, scoring Thurmond and Burke. Smith's double to left-center cleared the bases, adding two more runs and reclaiming the lead for Florida Southern at 9-6.

The ninth inning saw the Moccasins hold their ground defensively, shutting down any further scoring attempts by Young Harris. The game wrapped up with the Mocs sealing a 9-6 victory.

Jenkins delivered a standout performance, logging two hits, two runs, and two RBIs while drawing two walks. Smith made a significant impact with two hits, including a double, driving in three runs. Thurmond added two hits, scored once, and stole a base. 

Sachem Ramos led Florida Southern's pitching efforts with 5 2/3 innings, striking out a career-high 14 without walking a batter. His outing marks the most strikeouts by a pitcher in a single game in the last 15+ seasons. Evan Mobley came in for 2 1/3 innings of relief, striking out four for his first win of the season. Casey O'Dell closed it out, earning a save with a scoreless inning despite two walks, keeping the Mountain Lions hitless.

Up next, the Moccasins will host Young Harris again at noon on Saturday, Feb. 7, at Henley Field in Lakeland, Florida. Read Full Article