CLEARWATER, FLA.- The #4 Florida SouthWestern State Buccaneers clinched their third straight Suncoast Conference series victory to begin the 2019 season on Monday, using a five run first inning to down St. Petersburg 9-1 on the road and earn their 25th win of the year.
The Bucs jumped on the Titans right away and never looked back Monday. A sacrifice fly by Connor Bagnieski in the first put FSW in front 1-0 and another from Jose Marcano made it a 2-0 game. With two outs in the inning, Nathan Kinsch singled home a run, Tyler Solomon walked with the bases loaded, and Josh McAllister reached on an infield single to push the lead to 5-0.
An RBI single from Bagnieski in the second stretched the lead to 6-0 and Josh McAllister created his own offense in the fourth, leading off with a double, stealing third, and scoring on a throwing error to make it a 7-0 game in favor of the Bucs.
That was more than enough for FSW ace Ryan Gusto who cruised through five allowing just one run before handing the ball to Nate Madej who tossed three scoreless.
Kinsch added a pair of insurance runs with a two out, two run single before stretch time and Derek Rascher would finish things off on the mound for the Bucs as they went on to win 9-1.
FSW mustered nine hits in the win, three coming from McAllister, two from Mikey Burke, and two from Kinsch who also drove in three for FSW. Gusto earned the win on the mound, going five innings and allowing just three hits and a single run while striking out six to improve to 4-0 on the year.
The Bucs improve to 25-5 overall and maintain the top spot in the Suncoast Conference standings at 7-2 through three series. St. Petersburg falls to 11-16 and 4-5 in conference action.
FSW will be back in action on Wednesday when they travel to Tampa to kick off a three game set with Hillsborough. The two will make their way to Fort Myers for the weekend, playing Friday and Saturday at City of Palms Park in 3 PM and 1 PM starts those two days.