Box Score ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – After the double-header between Eckerd and Flagler was rained out in early February, the two baseball teams opted to meet Tuesday night for midweek contest as the Tritons fell, 16-2.
Things got off to a solid start for Eckerd (9-11) as it forced Flagler to strand three runners in the top of the first without scoring a run and started the bottom half of the inning with a leadoff single into right field by
Tom Buonopane. However, the Tritons were unable to get another hit until after the seventh inning stretch and by then Eckerd already trailed the Saints (15-11) by 16 runs.
The Tritons got on the board when pinch-hitter
Grant Banko grounded out to second with the bases loaded in the bottom of the seventh, scoring
Daniel Autiello. Zach Mittsmen followed with a pinch-hit single that ricocheted off of the leg of the Saints' pitcher, scoring
Justin Glover for EC's final run of the game.
The contest also marked the end of
Nick Hill's impressive 12 game hit streak as well as
Jake O'Rourke's eight-game streak.
Luke Cooksey (2-0) recorded the win after throwing five scoreless innings. In his collegiate debut,
Lucas Spetsas was given the loss.
EC returns to action on Thursday as the Tritons kick off a three-game series against Florida Southern followed by a double header on Friday. The Sunshine State Conference series is scheduled for a 6:00 PM start on Thursday with Friday beginning at 1:00 PM, with all games to be played at the Turley Athletic Complex. The Mocs took a non-conference meeting between the schools on March 15 by the score of 12-8.
