LAKELAND, Fla. – Back to back three-run innings led No. 19 Florida Southern College past the Lee baseball team, 7-2 on Friday night to begin a three-game non-conference series.
The Mocs remain unbeaten at 8-0 while the Flames drop to 3-6 on the year.
Florida Southern jumped on Lee starter Eric Freeman with back to back two-out RBI singles. Freeman struck out the first two batters of the frame before allowing four hits and walk. Dylan Costa singled home the first run and Austin Mauer ripped a single to center to score two more.
Freeman (1-1) was chased in the third inning as the Mocs once again scored three runs with two outs in in the inning. Vaun Brown delivered a two-run home run to left center to start the rally. After another single head coach Mark Brew called on Logan Workman. The freshman gave up a walk and allowed the third run of the frame to score on a wild pitch before retiring the side.
Logan Browning (2-0) delivered seven shutout innings on the mound for the Mocs. The ace of the Florida Southern staff allowed just three hits, struck out seven and worked around four walks to earn the victory.
"The game had a similar feel as Albany State. We provided too many free opportunities early and created another hole to dig out of. Florida Southern is too good of an offensive team for that to happen," lamented Brew.
Freshman Thomas Zazzaro closed out the final five innings in relief for Lee and just a solo home run in the seventh to Hayden Marze. Zazzaro allowed just three hits, struck out four and did not walk a batter.
"Thomas Zazzaro was excellent in relief and we were able to create some offensive opportunities late that hopefully will give us some momentum heading into tomorrow," said Brew. "We need big efforts out of Akanuma and Morrow tomorrow and have some urgency offensively in the early part of the game."
Chase Gadau hit his first home run as a Flame, a solo shot, in the top of ninth. The junior catcher reached base safely in all four plate appearances with two walks and single to go along with the four-bagger.
The Flames got on the board in the eighth inning as Tyler Payne doubled and later scored on a Miguel Pimentel single.
The two teams will wrap up the series tomorrow afternoon with a doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m. The Flames will call on Jumpei Akanuma and Pat Morrow on the mound to try and end a three-game skid.
