Tritons Take Midweek Matchup Over Pride

ST. PETERSBURG, FLA. - A two-run single by Kyle Abbott in the third led the Tritons baseball team to a 4-3 victory over Purdue Northwest (Ind.) in a midweek showdown at the Turley Athletic Complex on Tuesday.

The Tritons struck first with a homerun by Jake Andriole to right field for his second of the season in the second frame. The scales tipped in the Pride's favor in the third with an RBI single by Tyler Nelson. Purdue Northwest took the lead on a sacrifice fly from Hayden Matulich that allowed Luke Montgomery to score as he barely scored to beat out the final out at second to retire the side. 

Abbott regained the Triton lead with a two-run single to left center to bring home Tyler Cox and Michael Ballard for a 3-2 favor in the third. Cam Collier added an insurance run in the inning with an RBI single to right center to give the Tritons their fourth run of the game.

After reaching third on a passed ball, Alex Gasbarro scored on a base hit by Ethan Imlach to shorten the Pride's deficit to one, but it was not enough to rally. 

HOW IT ENDED 
FINAL: Eckerd 4, Purdue Northwest 3
WP: Gavin Grubbs (2-0) LP: William Roberts (0-1) S: Tucker Shalley (1) HR: Jake Andriole
RECORDS: Eckerd 11-6; PNU 3-6

NOTES AND NUMBERS 

• Rene Ramos made his first appearance on the mound as a Triton. He faced four batters through one inning of work.
• Tyler Cox went 2-for-4 on the day.
• Payton McIntosh threw a hitless inning in the seventh.
• Brendan Lawry, Gavin Grubbs, and Tucker Shalley combined for seven strikeouts on the day. 

UP NEXT
The Tritons head south to West Palm Beach, Florida, this weekend for a conference series against the Palm Beach Atlantic Sailfish, beginning Friday at 6:00 PM.