VALDOSTA, Ga. — Florida Southern College baseball (16-13) powered to an 11–7 victory over Valdosta State University (11-23) at Billy Grant Field on Tuesday, thanks to a strong offensive showing that featured two home runs and a pivotal four-run rally in the fourth inning.
Mikey Scott gave the Moccasins an early boost with a solo shot to left field. The Blazers answered back in the bottom of the first, plating three runs to take a 3–1 lead.
Valdosta State tacked on two more in the second, stretching their advantage to 5–1. But Florida Southern wasn't backing down. In the third,
Brock Budacki singled to set the stage for
Eli Thurmond's RBI double.
Eric Harrison Jr. brought another run home with a sac fly, pulling the Mocs closer at 6–3.
The fourth inning was where the Mocs flipped the script, erupting for four runs.
Will Burke smacked a double, and
Ryan Jenkins came through with a two-RBI single. Scott and Harrison Jr. kept the momentum going with a single and a two-RBI double, respectively, pushing the Mocs ahead 7–6.
Both squads added a run in the fifth. Florida Southern's came off a sac fly from Budacki, maintaining an 8–7 edge.
Scott wasn't done yet, launching another solo homer in the sixth to extend the lead to 9–7.
Florida Southern clamped down on defense, keeping the Blazers off the board in the seventh and eighth innings to hold their two-run cushion.
In the ninth, the Moccasins sealed the deal with a two-RBI single from
Brady Doorey, wrapping up the contest at 11–7 in favor of FSC.
Scott had a standout performance, crossing the plate four times and racking up three hits, including two homers and two RBIs. Harrison chipped in with a double and three RBIs, while Jenkins added two RBIs and a run with his single. Doorey came through in the clutch, driving in two with his one at-bat.
Evan Parmer got the start for the Mocs, with a tough outing in the first two innings.
Heath Clevenger pitched 2/3 of an inning, giving up a single run.
Christian Carew stepped in briefly, recording an out with no hits allowed, before a rain delay paused the game.
John Essig faced three batters in 1/3 inning, surrendering one hit and a walk.
Robert Tracy III threw for 1 1/3 innings, allowing one run on two hits, alongside a walk and a strikeout.
Tanner Rollyson was solid, pitching 3 1/3 innings without allowing a hit and striking out five.
Aidan Kelley closed with one inning, yielding two hits and fanning two.
Next up, the Moccasins will hit the road to face No. 2 University of Tampa at 6 p.m. ET on Friday, April 3, at the UTampa Baseball Field in Tampa, Florida.
