MIAMI SHORES, Fla.—The Buccaneers split a day-night doubleheader versus Nova Southeastern Saturday, dropping the first game 4-1 before taking the nightcap 9-3.
Kevin Youst took the mound for the Bucs (15-14, 8-4 SSC) in game one and delivered one of his best performances this season.
After eight innings of work over 120 pitches, Youst (1-2) struck out a season-high ten batters. Unfortunately the Sharks however did get to Youst with a pair of solo-shots in the first and once again in the fourth.
The right-hander scattered five hits and allowed just four runs, three earned in the loss.
The Buccaneer’s woes offensively continued as they managed just five hits total, with the only run coming in the fifth when Michael Slabach scored on a wild pitch.
After dropping game one, the Bucs and Sharks waited over an hour because of some severe weather in the area.
When play resumed Jordan Wellander took the mound looking to end the recent four-game slide and that’s exactly what he did. Coming through with a solid five and a third inning performance in which he allowed just three runs while striking out six.
Barry jumped on Nova from the start and never looked back, scoring four runs in the first as they cruised to a 9-3 victory.
Three Bucs finished with multiple hits, led by Adrian English who finished 3-for-4 with two runs and an RBI double. Bryant Elliott and James Young continued their offensive production in recent weeks with two hits each.
T.J. Mullins pitched one and two thirds innings in relief and picked up his sixth save of the season.
The race for first place in the SSC standings is a bit more crowded after this weekend of games, but the defending champion Buccaneers remain in the race.
Barry will continue with set of conference games beginning on Friday when they travel to Tampa this week.
Live-stat and audio broadcast will be available through the Barry athletics website, GOBARRYBUCS.COM.