ST. PETERSBURG, FLA. - An explosive sixth inning lifted the Eckerd baseball team over Saint Leo in the series opener, 6-1, on Friday night at the Turley Athletic Complex.
After five scoreless innings of play, the Tritons struck first when Cam Collier singled up the middle for the 1-0 nod. Kyle Abbott hit a double to left field to bring home Michael Ballard for a 2-0 lead. A blistering ball by Kyle Ericsson brought two home for a 4-0 tally.
With the bases loaded, Guissepe Accuri singled to left field, decreasing the Lions' deficit to three in the seventh.Â
For insurance, in the seventh, with two out and one runner on, Tyler Cox pinged the right foul pole for a two-run homer to increase Eckerd's favor to 6-1.
Tucker Shalley relieved Jake Stipp in the top of the eighth to close with two hitless innings. The Tritons took game one by a final tally of 6-1.
HOW IT ENDEDÂ
FINAL: Eckerd 6, Saint Leo 1
WP: Stipp (3-3) LP: Fregio (7-3)Â HR: Cox (2)
RECORDS: Eckerd (18-18, 6-13 SSC), Saint Leo (22-17, 10-9 SSC)
NOTES AND NUMBERS
- Stipp struck out nine batters through seven innings of work. Shalley struck out one in relief, not allowing a hit through the final two innings.Â
- Cox and Ericson were 2-for-4 on the night, each with two RBIs.Â
- Collier, Cox, and Ballard each had three putouts. Ballard led with four assists, trailed by Joe Wike with four.Â
UP NEXT
The Tritons are back in action tomorrow afternoon for the doubleheader of the conference series at 1:00 PM at the Turley Athletic Complex.
