No. 14-ranked Florida Southern scored four runs in the ninth
inning to defeat GSW 6-5 in the first game of a three-game weekend
series in Lakeland, Fla.
Southwestern drops to 8-10 overall. FSC, improves to 11-4.
The Moccasins took a 2-0 lead after scoring a pair of runs in
the second inning.
GSW broke through with three runs in the seventh on two hits, a
walk and a pair of wild pitches.
The 'Canes held the one-run lead until the ninth.
The Moccasins' rally started when Braxton Chisholm reached on an
error with one out. Colin Kaline and Trae Gore drew
back-to-back walks to load the bases. After reliever Bud
Fuller sent Chisholm home on a wild pitch, Kirkland smacked a
two-run double to left center, scoring Kaline and Gore to tie the
game. Shields then singled to left on a 1-0 count and
Kirkland came home with the winning run.
Both starting pitchers turned in strong outings, but neither was
involved in the decision. The Moccasins' Max Russell worked
6.2 innings, striking out 12. He struck out the side in the
first two innings and did not allow a hit until the sixth.
Southwestern's R.M. Cozza pitched 8.1 innings and struck out eight.
Fuller took the loss, falling to 1-3. Daniel Tillman pitched the
final 2.1 innings for FSC and picked up the win.
Shane Doyle was the lone Hurricane to record a multi-hit game,
finishing 3-for-5 with three RBI.
The Hurricanes and Moccasins play a doubleheader Saturday at 2
p.m.
