ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The Florida Southern College Moccasins (7-20, 1-10 SSC) faced a challenging doubleheader against Eckerd College (20-6, 10-2 SSC) on Saturday, falling 8–1 in the opener before dropping a narrow 2–1 decision in game two.
FLORIDA SOUTHERN 1, ECKERD 8
In game one, the Mocs struggled to keep pace with Eckerd's power at the plate, as the Tritons launched three home runs. Eckerd struck early with a three-run homer from Ella Coiner in the first inning, immediately putting Florida Southern in a 3–0 hole. The Tritons added to their lead in the third with a two-run shot by Faith Wharton to make it 5–0, then extended the margin to 7–0 with two more runs in the fourth.
Florida Southern broke through in the fifth inning when Kara Zweig lifted a sacrifice fly to bring home Carsyn Kull, cutting the deficit to 7–1. Eckerd answered with a solo home run from Hannah Taylor in the sixth to secure the 8–1 final.
Kate Mikle led the Mocs offensively, reaching base twice with a hit and a walk, while Kull added a hit and scored the team's lone run. In the circle, Amanda Lieberman went the distance, allowing eight earned runs over six innings. Emma Lucchesi highlighted the defensive effort with two assists from shortstop.
FLORIDA SOUTHERN 1, ECKERD 2
Game two proved to be a much tighter contest, as both teams were locked in a scoreless battle through the first three innings. Eckerd broke through in the fourth when Coiner struck again with a home run to left-center. Later in the inning, Maddie Bostack added an RBI single to extend the lead to 2–0.
The Mocs mounted a late push in the seventh. Emily Borresen led off with a single, followed by another base hit from Cam Nolte to move pinch runner Nei Nei De Jesus into scoring position. Kelly Keating then delivered a clutch double to right field, bringing De Jesus home and cutting the deficit to one. However, the rally would fall just short as Eckerd held on for the 2–1 win.
Borresen recorded a hit in her lone at-bat, while Keating's pinch-hit double accounted for Florida Southern's only run of the game. In the circle, Des Aitken turned in a strong complete-game effort, allowing just two earned runs while striking out three over six innings.
Florida Southern returns to action on Thursday, April 2, hosting Tampa at 6 p.m. at Chris Bellotto Field in Lakeland, Florida.
