Box Score LAKELAND, Fla. - The Eckerd baseball team brought the tying run to the plate in the top of the ninth inning against No. 22 Florida Southern, but was unable to capitalize in a 6-2 loss to the Moccasins on Friday night.
Eckerd, which entered the final frame trailing by five runs, showed a spark of life after
Mitch Calandra and
Tom Buonopane opened the ninth with back-to-back singles. Â
Chase Achuff drove in Calandra with a one-out single and two batters later,
Steven Salisbury drew a walk to load the bases.
However, Florida Southern turned to its closer, Cameron Hanes, who struck out
Reid Zitzelburg to end the game and record his sixth save of the year.
The Tritons (12-15, 4-6 SSC) scored in the top of the first inning on a hit and an error as Calandra singled to right with
Sam Cochrane on second. Â FSC right fielder Vaun Brown misplayed the ball, allowing Cochrane to score.
Florida Southern (19-6, 4-3 SSC) wasted little time in answering. Â Mitch Reeves blasted a two-run home run as the third batter of the game for the hosts.
After an Austin Mauer RBI single gave the Mocs a 3-1 lead in the third, Oscar Villeman connected on a three-run shot to right field in the fourth to double FSC's run count.
Logan Browning (5-1), meanwhile, shut down the Eckerd bats after allowing a first-inning run. The transfer from the University of Florida gave up only one hit over his last six innings and fanned eight in the game.
Lucas Spetsas,
Gardner Nutter and
Ben Deaver combined to hold the Mocs scoreless over the last four innings but the Tritons could not make up the gap against Browning and three FSC relievers despite threatening in the ninth.
Alex Moore (0-4) took the loss, allowing 10 hits and six runs over four innings of work.
Calandra led Eckerd at the plate with two hits. Â
Nick Conti also extended his streak of reaching base safely to 27 games with his double in the third.
The two teams return to action tomorrow with a doubleheader beginning at 1:00 PM.
