LAKELAND, Fla.- Survive and advance, that is the name of the game in the postseason, and that is exactly what the #11 Florida SouthWestern State Buccaneers did Friday afternoon at the FCSAA State Tournament in Lakeland, taking advantage of six hit batters and using a lights out effort from their bullpen for an 8-3 win over Seminole State to advance to the tournament's final four. 

 

For the second straight day, the Bucs were forced to play from behind as Seminole State cracked a two run home run in the bottom of the 1st to give the Raiders an early 2-0 lead. 

 

Also for the second straight day, the Bucs answered right back.  This time it was a clutch two out, two run single for Ronny Medina in the top of the 2nd to draw FSW back even at 2-2. 

 

Seminole put together a two out rally to push the go ahead run across in the bottom of the 2nd to move back in front 3-2. 

 

A pair of walks and a fielder's choice to start the FSW 3rd allowed the Bucs to tie the score back up at 3 and later in the inning a two run bomb onto the concourse from Carter Cunningham put FSW back in front 5-3. 

 

There was nothing going through the middle innings for either side as Bucs starter Robert Wegielnik settled in and got them to the 6th with a lead before handing it over to FCSAA Fireman of the Year Antonio Knowles who got a big out to close the inning and keep the FSW in front 5-3. 

 

The Bucs added some insurance in the 7th as they loaded the bases with nobody out before back to back RBI singles from Yadiel Santana and Matthew Corpas cushioned the lead to 8-3.  Kendry Noriega was hit by a pitch, the third of the inning and 15th FSW hit batter of the week, breaking a 20 year old tournament record for hit batsmen before the inning came to an end. 

 

FSW reliever Grant Besser took the ball from there and he dominated the Raider lineup for the next three innings, retiring all nine batters he faced to close out a 8-3 win for the Bucs to send them to the final four. 

 

The Bucs only outhit the Raiders 8-7 in the win, but took advantage of eight free passes, six hit batters, and two walks to help lead them to the win.  Corpas and Medina each finished with two hits and two RBIs in the win while Cunningham had the Bucs lone extra base knock of the game with his 3rd inning homer.  Wegielnik went 5 2/3 on the mound, striking out eight to earn the win and improve to 4-1 on the year.  Besser went three perfect frames to close thing out and earn his second save of the year.  

 

With the win, the Bucs improve to 44-15 on the year and remain alive in the tournament while Seminole State falls to 29-19 and sees their season come to an end. 

 

The Bucs advance to the tournament's round of four where they will take on the loser of Friday's Northwest Florida/Miami Dade game on Saturday at 1:00 PM.