Box Score 1 |
Box Score 2 ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – The final two games of a three game series between the Eckerd College baseball team and Saint Leo University took place on Saturday with the Lions coming out on top, 4-1 and 10-2.
Three hits in the top of the first inning put Saint Leo up quickly, 1-0. EC had an answer in the bottom half of the inning which was started by a leadoff single from
Lucas Luopa. After a single by
James Petika and a walk by
Carter Cashman, the bases were loaded for
Grant Banko. The left fielder was able to bring in Luopa from third to tie the game up, 1-1.
The Lions retook the lead in the second inning after capitalizing on two defensive miscues by the Tritons. Both offenses were quiet until SLU added the two final runs of the game in the top of the fifth inning. EC managed seven hits in the final eight innings, but could not string anything together falling, 4-1.
Kevin Plant recorded his third loss of the season moving his record to 2-3.
Mike Eagan came in in relief throwing four scoreless innings while striking out five.
It was déjà vu in game two with the Lions jumping out to a one run lead after the top of the first inning. Unlike game one, Eckerd was unable to answer. Saint Leo tacked on three more runs in the second inning to go up, 4-0.
Nick Hill, who had a stellar performance at the plate during the series, singled to left bringing
Matt MacMahon in from third in the bottom of the second for their first run of the game.
The Tritons would manage just one more run in the fifth when Banko scored off a passed ball making it a 6-2 ball game. Saint Leo would add another four runs in the seventh while their pitching staff stifled the EC offense for the 10-2 victory.
Zach Hoppe fell to 0-2 on the year after getting the start in game two.
Hill finished the series hitting .455 going 5 for 11. Cashman collected three hits in game two of the double header on Saturday while MacMahon tacked on two of his own.
Eckerd (13-13, 3-7) will be back in action at the Turley Athletic Complex on Tuesday. EC will host Southeastern University in midweek nonconference action starting at 6 p.m.
