ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The Eckerd baseball team rallied from a seven-run deficit before falling just short 9-7 to the Barry Buccaneers in the series opener at the Turley Athletic Complex Friday night.
Tyler Cox put the Tritons on the board first, bringing home Dimi Nunez for the early 1-0 lead in the first. After falling behind 2-1 in the top of the second, Gunner Womer hit a sacrifice fly to center field to knot the game at two apiece. The Bucs took their first lead in the third with a two-RBI double, putting BU up two runs. Barry capitalized in the fourth stanza with a two-run homer and two runs scoring off wild pitches.
After trailing by seven, the Tritons chipped away in the final three innings. In the seventh, Michael Ballard hit a ball up the middle, plating Joe Wike. Kyle Abbott added another sacrifice fly to bring the Tritons within five.
With two out in the bottom of the ninth, Abbott hit a high ball towards the right field line that just dropped out of reach, scoring Ballard and Cox. Kyle Ericcson was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to bring the Triton tally to seven. With the bases loaded once more, Joe Muzio appeared in the designated hitter slot but could not equalize for the Tritons as they fell short, 9-7.
HOW IT ENDED
FINAL: Barry 9, Eckerd 7
WP: Mike Reagan (3-0) LP: Jacob Stipp (0-2) S: Jake Ogden (2) HR: Menendez (1)
NOTES AND NUMBERS
- The Tritons tallied an impressive 16 hits on the night.
- Ballard led the way going 5-for-5 with one RBI. Cam Collier went 3-for-5.
- Abbott had three RBIs on the night.
- EC's bullpen combined for 10 strikeouts.
UP NEXT
The Tritons are at home for the doubleheader of their three-game series tomorrow at 12:00 PM against the Buccaneers.
