Baseball Can't Rally From Early Deficit

LAKELAND, Fla. – An early eight-runs set the table for Florida Southern, as the Mocs defeated the Barry University baseball team, 9-7, Thursday night In Sunshine State Conference play at Henley Field.

In the biggest matchup of the season so far in the SSC, Florida Southern came ready to play from the start.

Nick Stanley’s RBI double in the first inning helped the Mocs break through first.

Yudelmis Hernandez answered with a solo homer in the second inning to help tie the score at one.

Florida Southern (32-6, 12-1 SSC) then got on a roll, tallying seven runs over the next three innings.
Trae Gore and Wade Kirkland delivered 2 RBI hits in the second inning, as Kirkland’s two-run shot boosted the Mocs’ lead to four.

The Bucs (32-5, 11-2 SSC) continued to fight down seven after four innings, with a four-spot in the seventh frame.
Yan Gomes came through with a sacrifice fly to get the scoring started in the inning, Yas Gutierrez followed with an RBI double, as did Hernandez, then Mitch Rodriguez concluded the inning with an RBI single to center field to trim the lead to two, 8-6.

Barry threatened again in the eighth, but closer Daniel Tillman came on to shut the door, working 1.2 innings, striking out three to record his ninth save of the season.

Bobby Hernandez (5-2) had a rough night on the mound for the Bucs, as the senior right-hander allowed eight earned runs in just three innings, resulting in his second loss of the season.

Four Moc players tallied 2 RBI to lead the way, Yudelmis Hernandez went 2-for-3 with 2 RBI and a Home run to pace the Bucs.

T.J. Mullins and Brian Milanes pitched well in relief, as the two combined to allow just one run in five innings.

Barry will continue their series with Florida Southern on Friday with a doubleheader with the first game beginning at 1 p.m.