ST. LEO, Fla. - Stephen Pelc's double in the top of the ninth inning broke the 13-13 tied ball game to lift the Tritons over the Saint Leo Lions Friday night their Sunshine State Conference series opener Friday night at Southard Stadium in the campus of Saint Leo University.
The Tritons (20-26, 3-19 SSC) struck first as Wes Hollins took advantage of one of the three errors that were committed by the Lions (18-34, 4-18 SSC) defense to score the first run of the game in the first inning. Eckerd was able to tag on a total of seven runs between the fourth and fifth innings of the game to make it a 8-0 game, but the Lions were able to score runs of their own in the bottom of the fifth, tallying up five runs to cut the lead down by three runs.
But Eckerd wouldn't sit quietly, as they continued to rack in the runs, adding five more to their total in the next three innings of the game to make it a 13-5 ball game. Saint Leo wouldn't sit quietly, as they made it an exciting game heading into the ninth inning after scoring eight unearned runs to make it a tied ball game. After Joe Dabah taking a walk and Kevin Rea's single through the right side, Pelc came up with a clutch double to center field to make it a 15-13 ball game. The Lions were able to put runners on bases with only one out, but Johnny Lancaster, Patrick Waugh, and Robbie Nabers were able to settle down the side, giving the Tritons the victory. Lancaster came up with the win, while Nabers recorded the save.
Pelc, Matt Abraham, Chris Clinton, and Minner Labrador each had three hits a piece. Two of Labrador's hits were home runs, while Pelc also collected a home run of his own. Dan Branca, Oliver Killoren#, and Rea each had two hits.
The Tritons will close out their series with the Lions on Sunday, May 2nd as they return to Southard Stadium for their final regular season games. First game of the double header will be at 1:00 pm.
