MELBOURNE, Fla. - Wess Hollins goes 2-for-3 with one run and three runs batted in as the Eckerd baseball team dropped their 5-4 thriller to Florida Tech in the opening game of their Sunshine State Conference series. The Tritons are now 16-18 overall and 1-12 in the conference, while the Panthers, who are currently ranked No. 26 in the nation, improve to 28-11 overall and 8-8 in the conference.
Florida Tech jumped on board first in the bottom of the first inning on an RBI single. The Tritons answered back in the top of the second inning, scoring four runs to make it a 4-1 game. Dan Branca started off the inning taking a walk, then advanced on Kevin Rea's single to right-center that brought runners on first and second. With one out, another walk was issued to Eckerd, giving them bases loaded scoring opportunity with Hollins coming to the plate. Hollins drove a triple to the right side, brining home Branca, Rea, and Stephan Pelc to give the Tritons the 3-1 lead. Hollins was able to score during the next at bat when Chris Clinton placed a sacrifice bunt to first base to make the score 4-1.
The Panthers answered back with runs of their own during the second, third, and fifth innings, tying the game up, 4-4. Eckerd threatened to take the lead in the top of the ninth, loading up the bases due to walks, but the Panthers were able to get out of the jam, keeping it a tied ball game. However, Florida Tech would be victorious at the end of the ninth inning, scoring on a single to left-center, bringing the game to a 5-4 Panther win.
Jake Wilder started on the mound of the Tritons, pitching seven strong innings. He gave up seven hits, four runs, three walks, and struck out five panthers. Francisco Collazo came into the game in the bottom of the eighth inning, receiving the heartbreaking loss for Eckerd. Along with Hollins' 2-for-3 efforts at the plate, Minner Labrador continues to dish out impressive numbers, going 2-for-4.
The Tritons will conclude the series with Florida Tech tomorrow at Seminick-Hall Field in double-header action. The first game will start at 12:00 noon.
