ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The Eckerd men's tennis team picked up a bounce-back win over Franklin Pierce (NH) 4-3 at the Fred Bullard Courts on Monday afternoon.
The Tritons (7-7, 0-3 SSC) defeated the Ravens 4-3 after taking the doubles point in a split decision and three of six singles matches.
Eckerd opened the day splitting the doubles point. Phil Grueninger and Eric Asakura took the third doubles competition 6-1 to kick things off. Batu Ataseven and Christian Kearns clinched the doubles point with a 6-3 victory in the top pairing.
Ataseven made quick work of his opponent in the top singles, taking set one 6-2, before shutting out Herin 6-0 in set two. Mario Kirkov picked up a victory in the two's spot, 6-2 in straight sets for a 3-0 Eckerd advantage.
Asakura clinched the match for the Tritons in the No. 5 position, cruising in set one 6-2, before taking set two 7-5.
Eckerd travels to West Palm Beach on Wednesday for a conference matchup against Palm Beach Atlantic at 2:00 PM.
Singles competition
1. Batu Ataseven (ECM) def. Joe Herin (FPU) 6-2, 6-0
2. Mario Kirkov (ECM) def. Preston Gordon (FPU) 6-2, 6-2
3. Ralph Hiebel (FPU) def. Christian Kearns (ECM) 7-5, 6-4
4. Noe Martin (FPU) def. Marshall Hulett (ECM) 6-3, 6-1
5. Eric Asakura (ECM) def. Orlando Guerrero (FPU) 6-2, 7-5
6. Alejandro Ortiz (FPU) def. Phil Grueninger (ECM) 6-2, 7-6 (7-5)
Doubles competition
1. Batu Ataseven/Christian Kearns (ECM) def. Preston Gordon/Alejandro Ortiz (FPU) 6-3
2. Joe Herin/Noe Martin (FPU) def. Mario Kirkov/Marshall Hulett (ECM) 6-3
3. Phil Grueninger/Eric Asakura (ECM) def. Ralph Hiebel/Orlando Guerrero (FPU) 6-1
