LAKELAND, Fla. -- Much like Game 1 of the series, the first game of Saturday's doubleheader of Barry's series at Florida Southern included the Bucs taking an early lead and holding it throughout the game before the Mocs attempted a late comeback. However, this time they were unsuccessful as the Bucs held on to win, 8-7.
The Bucs had 18 hits in the game -- their second most of the season -- with five players having multiple hits.
JC Cardenas led the team with five hits in the opener, including four singles, a double and two RBI.
Barry got out to an early lead in the top of the second inning with a two-run single to the left side by
Ramon Valdez, and a Cardenas RBI single that brought in Valdez to make it 3-0.
The Mocs responded with a run in both the second and third innings, respectively. The Bucs answered in the fourth with three runs off a
Jonathan Quintana RBI groundout that brought in
Khalil Denson and a
Kyle Pangallo RBI single down the left side that brought in Cardenas to make it 6-2.
Barry added to its lead in the fifth to reply to the Mocs' three runs in the bottom of the fourth.
Greg Brodzinski singled through the left side, bringing in
Frank Gonzalez to make it 7-5. In the bottom of the fifth, Florida Southern responded once more by scoring a single run to keep the pressure on the Bucs. The Bucs added the final pillar of their lead in the top of the seventh when Cardenas reached home on a throwing error by the catcher.
FSC's Jhalan Jackson blasted one to left field, breaking a Mocs single-season home run record while making it a 8-7 game. However, Bucs reliever
Jesse Montalto was able to get through the inning to seal the win for the Bucs and earn his third save of the year.
Barry starter
Jonathan Hernandez got the win in a five-inning effort to improve his record to 6-4. FSC starter Craig Savage took the loss after allowing 12 hits and six earned runs to put his record at 4-4.
In Game 2 of the doubleheader, the Bucs started out strong once more with three runs in the first two innings off a Cardenas two-run homer to left field in the first and an RBI single by Valdez. However, from then on out the Bucs let the game slip away, falling 9-3.
Bucs reliever
Luis Deville took the loss to put his record at 3-5 on the year, while Brady Arsenson worked six innings to pick up the win and improve to 5-2.
The Bucs' record now stands at 20-26 overall and 7-14 in the Sunshine State Conference, while Florida Southern is 21-21 and 9-12 in the SSC.
Up next for the Bucs is their final series of the year as they travel to Davie, Fla., to take on the rival Nova Southeastern Sharks in a three-game series beginning Friday at 6 p.m.
