ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – With Matt Abraham's at-bat performance and Joey Cuda's lights out pitching, the Eckerd College baseball team was able to salvage their series double-header finale Saturday afternoon at the Turley Athletic Center against Lynn University. After falling to the Fighting Knights 9-11 in the first game, the Tritons came back in game two to dominate over Lynn, 13-1.
In game one, the Fighting Knights (15-32-1, 5-13, SSC) jumped on board first as they scored nine runs within the first three innings of the ball game. Eckerd (18-26, 2-19 SSC) wouldn't sit back quietly as their first five hitters that inning each collected hits that brought in three runs. It all started with Chris Clinton's single through the left side, which then he was quickly brought in on Wess Hollins' triple to right center. Minner Labrador connected with a two run bomb over the left-center field fence to make it a 3-9 game. The hits kept coming as Joe Dabah and Dan Branca singled their way on base. The next run of the inning came off of a fielding error made by the Lynn defense to make it 4-9. Stephen Pelc had the sixth hit of the inning, singling to left field that brought home Branca and Abraham's double down the right field line brought in two runs to make it a 7-9 game
Lynn would tag on their final two runs of the game in the top of the fifth inning as Chris Chavez hit a two-run homer that made it a 7-11 game. The Tritons took back those two runs in the eighth inning by taking advantage of a throwing error made by the Lynn defense, cutting the lead down to 9-11. Eckerd was able to put two runners on the bases in the bottom of the ninth, but was unable to score to win the game. Jake Wilder would suffer his fifth loss of the season for Eckerd, giving up eight hits, six runs, one walk, and struck out one batter.
Game two was a different story for both teams, as the Tritons came on the field ready to play. Eckerd scored their first run of the game in the bottom of the first as Labrador scored on a miss play by Lynn's left fielder. The Tritons added on three more to their score in the second inning, as Abraham doubled home Pelc to make it a 2-0 game. Abraham was able to score on a muffed throw that was made by the first baseman, which then advanced Kevin Rea to third. Rea then came home on Hollins' sacrifice fly to center field to extend the score to 4-0. Thanks to homeruns made by Abraham and Hollins, Eckerd was able to put two more runs on the board to make it a 6-0 ball game. The runs continued to rack in for the Tritons as they scored seven runs in the sixth inning, four of which were in the hands of Labrador, who connected with a grand slam over the left-center field fence.
The Eckerd defense put a halt on the Fighting Knights offense, only allowing one run, which occurred in the sixth inning off of Chavez's double to right-center. Lynn threatened to score runs in the final inning after putting runners on second and first, but were unable to score, giving the Tritons their second conference win of the season. Cuda put up stellar numbers in the seven innings he pitched, giving up four hits, one run, and struck out 11 batters. He improves his record to 5-5 on the season.
The Tritons will return to action Tuesday night as they travel over to Babson Park, Florida to take on Webber International University. Game is set to start at 7:00 pm.
