LAKELAND, Fla. — Florida Southern College (2-13) split their doubleheader against Adelphi University (1-1) on Friday afternoon at Chris Bellotto Field, winning the first game 3-1 and losing the second 7-6.
FLORIDA SOUTHERN 3, ADELPHI 1
In the first game,
Des Aitken was the star for Florida Southern, striking out eight over seven innings. The Mocs tallied eight hits, including two doubles, paving the way to victory. Key moments unfolded in the third and sixth innings. In the third,
Keira Morris reached on a throwing error, then
Emma Lucchesi singled.
Gigi Polanco's sacrifice bunt moved the runners, setting the stage for
Gabby Young, whose double drove in two runs, with Morris scoring unearned. Florida Southern took a 2-0 lead by the end of the third. Adelphi answered in the fourth when Ellen Tarjan doubled, sending Emily Wolfe home. The score tightened to 2-1, still favoring Florida Southern. In the sixth,
Carsyn Kull, pinch-hitting for
Hanna Lewis, singled and later scored on
Nei Nei De Jesus's double, stretching the lead to 3-1. The Mocs held onto their lead through the seventh, sealing the game at 3-1.
Young shone with a double and two RBIs. Aitken pitched a complete game, allowing just one earned run with eight strikeouts over seven innings. De Jesus added two hits, including a double, and an RBI. Kull made her mark as a pinch hitter, scoring and hitting safely in her lone at-bat. Aitken's complete game featured six hits and one earned run over seven innings, with eight strikeouts and just one walk. She threw 58 strikes out of 92 pitches, boasting a WHIP of 1.00, which was pivotal in FSC's defense. Aitken's win evened her season record to 1-1.
For the Panthers, Ellen Tarjan impressed at third base, going 1-for-3 with a double and an RBI, contributing an OPS of 1.000. On the mound, Lily Kenney pitched a full six innings, yielding eight hits and two earned runs, striking out one with a WHIP of 1.33. Maddy Moore added a double and an OPS of 1.000, with one assist and one stolen base allowed defensively.
FLORIDA SOUTHERN 6, ADELPHI 7
In the second game, Florida Southern came up just short in a tight 7-6 loss to Adelphi. The Mocs racked up 12 hits and swiped five bases, but a five-run rally by Adelphi in the seventh inning sealed their fate. Florida Southern set the tone early in the first inning. Young singled to right center and later crossed the plate on a throwing error. Right behind her,
Kate Mikle scored unearned thanks to a wild pitch and a single by Hanna Lewis, giving the Mocs a 2-0 lead. Adelphi evened things up in the second inning, capitalizing on a fielding error to bring in two runs and tie the game at 2-2.
The Moccasins reclaimed the lead in the fourth inning. Polanco scored on another single by Lewis, and Morris touched home on a bases-loaded walk by Kull, pushing Florida Southern ahead 4-2. The Mocs extended their cushion in the sixth inning. Mikle scored on an error, and Lewis took advantage of a wild pitch to make it 6-2. The seventh inning, however, was a game-changer. Adelphi surged ahead with five runs, making the most of errors and timely hits to edge out the Mocs with a final score of 7-6.
Lewis led the charge with five hits and two RBIs. Young added a run and two stolen bases, showcasing her speed. Morris chipped in with two hits and a stolen base for depth in the lineup. Mikle scored twice and drew a walk, bolstering the team's scoring efforts.
Natalie Snowden threw for six innings, giving up six hits and three runs, only one of which was earned. She struck out one and walked two, with a WHIP of 1.33.
Ella Torres faced five batters in the seventh, allowing four runs—two earned—on two hits and a walk. Aitken wrapped up the game, pitching 2/3 of an inning hitless and runless, with one strikeout.
For Adelphi, Kaitlyn Klepper shone brightly with a 2.250 OPS, collecting four hits, two RBIs, and a double. Reeghan McCarthy made an impact with one hit and one RBI, sporting a .500 OPS. Jaylen Wright was effective, scoring once and hitting safely in her only at-bat, leading to an .833 OPS. Amanda Chavarria added to the effort with one run, one hit, and a walk, also at an .833 OPS. Jenna Plue pitched 4 2/3 innings, allowing two earned runs and striking out one, showing her grit on the mound.
Looking ahead, Florida Southern will host Wheeling in a doubleheader on Saturday, March 7, at Chris Bellotto Field in Lakeland, Florida, with the first pitch set for 1 p.m. ET.
