ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The Eckerd men's tennis team defeated Hamilton College (NY) 6-1 on Friday afternoon at the Bullard Courts.
The Tritons (8-5) defeated the Continentals (2-3) by taking the doubles point and five singles matches.
The Tritons secured the doubles point with two near-shutout victories in the No. 1 and 3 slots. Esteve Augusti and Batu Ataseven improved to 10-3 as a duo on the season, defeating Connor Grodd and Coby Feldman to bring their victory count to double digits. Christian Kearns and Jon William Karlstad picked up another 6-1 win in the No. 3 draw to give the Tritons the advantage to start the day.
Augusti and Ataseven each started their singles matches to a hot 6-0 start. Augusti defeated Groff in set two 6-2, while Ataseven allowed Anderson only one set win to finish set two 6-1.
Eric Asakura had a standout performance in the No. 4 spot for his third singles win of the season. He defeated Lorenso Gunningham 6-3, 6-3. Kearns and Karlstad rounded out singles play for
the Tritons, as Kearns defeated Eric Stein 6-1, 6-4, and Karlstad defeated Gianni Esposito 6-2, 6-2.
The Tritons make the trip down to West Palm Beach Monday to face Palm Beach Atlantic at 1:00 PM.
Singles competition
1. Esteve Augusti (ECM) def. Connor Groff (HCM) 6-0, 6-2
2. Batu Ataseven (ECM) def. Anson Anderson (HCM) 6-0, 6-1
3. Christian Kearns (ECM) def. Eric Stein (HCM) 6-1, 6-4
4. Eric Asakura (ECM) def. Lorenzo Gunningham (HCM) 6-3, 6-3
5. Nicolas Gritz (HCM) def. Sam Walker (ECM) 6-4, 4-6, 11-9
6. Jon William Karlstad (ECM) def. Gianni Esposito (HCM) 6-2, 6-2
Doubles competition
1. Esteve Augusti/Batu Ataseven (ECM) def. Connor Groff/Coby Feldman (HCM) 6-1
2. Anson Anderson/Lorenzo Gunningham (HCM) def. Sam Walker/Eric Asakura (ECM) 6-4
3. Christian Kearns/Jon William Karlstad (ECM) def. Nicolas Gritz/Gianni Esposito (HCM) 6-1
