Eckerd-Southeastern (Fla.) Box Score
LAKELAND, Fla. – Eckerd College junior Joe McLemore scored the game-winning run and picked up his first collegiate victory on the mound, as the Triton baseball team took a 3-2 win at Southeastern in 11 innings on Tuesday.
McLemore scored on a throwing error in the top of the 11th and tossed two innings of relief to lead Eckerd (2-1) to its second road win in as many tries.
The right-hander retired all six batters he faced in relief of Joey Cuda, who gave up just one earned run in nine innings of work. Cuda has surrendered just one earned run in 17 innings in the early season.
“College baseball has changed into a game of execution now,” said Eckerd head coach Bill Mathews, talking about how the game has changed following the new implementation of the safety standard aluminum bat.
“In the 11th, we got the bunt down, put some pressure on them to make a defensive play, and we got a huge run.”
The Tritons, who were credited with five hits, took advantage of four Southeastern (0-3) errors.
Eckerd broke a scoreless tie in the eighth, as Bryant Gibson and Wess Hollins scored on a throwing error by Southeastern shortstop Vinny Caesar.
But the Fire tied the game in the bottom of the frame, highlighted by an RBI double from Shane Casey (4-for-5).
Cuda, however, held the Fire in check throughout – scattering nine hits and recording 11 strikeouts.
Eckerd will return home at 7 p.m. on Friday against Ave Maria. Fans can follow the action online via live stats at EckerdTritons.com.
