LAKELAND, Fla. — The Florida Southern College Moccasins (15-13, 6-5 SSC) split their doubleheader against the Eckerd College Tritons (19-6, 9-3 SSC) to get back in the win column Saturday night. FSC fell 8-0 in the first game of the day and rebounded with an 11-10 win in the series final to avoid the sweep.
Game one of the day against the Tritons was tightly contested until the sixth inning when Eckerd broke the deadlock. Christian Cabina's double down the left field line brought in two runs, giving Eckerd a 2–0 lead. Eckerd widened the gap in the eighth inning with a potent offensive surge. Hunter Rebhan launched a solo shot over left field, sparking the inning's scoring. Dawson Jones followed with a double for another RBI, then Joey Bazydlo knocked in two more with a single. Ean Gimson added an RBI triple, and Corey Hodierne capped the rally with a single, setting the final score at 8–0.
Florida Southern had its chances, with
Mikey Scott leading the charge with three singles, though the Mocs couldn't capitalize to score.
Carson Brady chipped in with two hits, including a double, and drew a walk, showcasing his presence at the plate. On the mound,
Ty Bradle pitched a strong 5 1/3 innings, allowing just two earned runs and striking out six.
Heath Clevenger pitched in relief, giving up four runs, followed by a tough outing by
Evan Mobley.
Ethan Breslin closed with a strong, scoreless inning, allowing no hits and striking out one, though EC won 8-0.
In the second game of the doubleheader, Florida Southern edged out Eckerd with a thrilling 11–10 win. The Mocs set the tone early with a five-run burst in the first inning. Florida Southern came out swinging as
Ryan Jenkins singled down the left-field line, eventually scoring on Brady's two-RBI triple.
Gavin Smith kept the momentum going with an RBI single, while
Will Burke and
Brock Budacki added to the tally with an unearned run and an RBI single, respectively, for a commanding 5–0 lead after just one inning.
The Tritons clawed back in the second with a two-run homer from Christian Cabina and an RBI single by Joey Bazydlo. Jenkins quickly answered with a solo shot to extend the Mocs' lead to 6–3 by the end of the second. In the third,
Amir Streeter drove in another run with a single, making it 7–3. Eckerd tied it up in the fourth and fifth innings with a series of hits and a sac fly, leveling the score at 7–7.
Florida Southern reclaimed the lead in the sixth. Scott's RBI single and
Eric Harrison Jr.'s sac fly pushed the Mocs ahead 9–7. Both teams added two runs in the seventh. The Mocs capitalized on a fielding error and a wild pitch to stretch their lead to 11–9. Eckerd chipped away with a run in the eighth, but Florida Southern held firm. The ninth inning was a defensive battle, and the Mocs clinched the 11–10 victory.
Jayce Rollins started on the mound for Florida Southern, pitching two innings, allowing three earned runs on five hits with one strikeout and one walk.
Tanner Rollyson followed, giving up few runs across two innings, striking out three.
Casey O'Dell delivered three solid innings, allowing two earned runs and striking out four.
John Essig faced two batters without recording an out, allowing an earned run and two walks.
Robert Tracy III pitched 1 1/3 innings, giving up no earned runs on three hits.
Aidan Kelley wrapped it up with 2/3 inning of scoreless relief, getting two groundouts for the save.
Next up, Florida Southern heads to Valdosta State University for a 1 p.m. ET showdown on Tuesday, March 31, at Billy Grant Field at Tommy Thomas Park in Valdosta, Georgia.
