Box Score
BOCA RATON, Fla. – A four-run first inning and a three-run home run slugged by Cory Elasik had Lynn University off and running to begin a Sunshine State Conference series against the Eckerd College baseball program on Saturday afternoon, 9-1.
The Tritons (13-18, 1-12 SSC) dropped their fifth straight since toppling Mansfield (Pa.) University despite a 3-for-3 effort from junior outfielder
Shane Bishop at the plate.
Bishop doubled in the lone EC run in the eighth inning, scoring junior
Lincoln Dunham after he reached on a two-out single.
Jed Vandernaald tossed seven strong innings on the mound for the Fighting Knights (23-12, 7-3 SSC), who only had two more hits than the Eckerd offense in the first of a three-game set.
Forecasted weather conditions had ultimately changed today's matchup into a nine-inning contest while the doubleheader will be played on Sunday afternoon.
Lynn managed to score four runs on just one hit in a wild first inning.
The Fighting Knights were aided by an error, but Sal Giardina Jr. singled in a run and Joey Sharkey drew a bases-loaded walk that gave the home team a 4-0 advantage early on.
Scoring would be silent until Elasik hit his three-run shot in the fourth after runners reached on a leadoff single and throwing error fielder's choice.
Elasik walked with the bases loaded again in the fifth inning, his fourth RBI of the afternoon that gave his team an 8-0 cushion.
Bishop also walked to make it a perfect afternoon to reach safely in all four plate appearances.
EC freshman
Taylor Owens and senior
Joe Clagg combined for 3 1/3 scoreless innings (including unearned runs) to close out the game in relief of senior
Jordan Huchro.
Huchro yielded two of the earned runs in the first inning before giving way to freshman lefty
Matt Mullins.
The Tritons and Fighting Knights are scheduled to conclude their series with a twinbill tomorrow afternoon with game one set to start at noon.
