Posted: Apr 03, 2023
BRADENTON, Fla.- In a matchup of the top teams from the Southern and the Suncoast Conferences, the Florida SouthWestern State Buccaneers outhit the State College of Florida Manatees 9-5, but were just 1-11 with runners in scoring position, dropping a 5-2 decision in non-conference action Monday night in Bradenton.
The Bucs struck first right off the bat as back to back 1st inning doubles from Anthony Westbrook and Derek Williams turned into the run to put FSW up 1-0 after a half inning of action.
FSW starter Yehoshua Garcia made that lead hold up through the first four frames, but the Bucs couldn't add onto it as it remained a 1-0 game as the teams quickly progressed to the 5th.
SCF finally broke through in the 5th with some help from the Bucs as three straight two out walks, including two with the bases loaded, forced runs home before back to back singles brought home three more to make it a 5-1 game in favor of the Manatees at the end of five.
The Bucs had a golden opportunity to get back into the game in the 7th as Albert Serrano crackedf a leadoff triple, but a pair of pop ups on the infield and a strikeout would leave him there and keep it a 5-1 game in favor of the Manatees.
AJ Shaver homered for the third straight game to lead off the FSW 8th to cut the Manatee lead to 5-2.
In their final cracks, the Bucs put two on with nobody out in the 9th, but a double play thwarted the threat and a strikeout ended it as the Manatees closed out a 5-2 decision to take home the win against their former Suncoast Conference rivals.
The Bucs outhit the Manatees 9-5, but went just 1-11 with runners in scoring position. Serrano and Westbrook each went 2-4 for the Bucs in the loss while Jahir Perez was the most effective of four FSW pitchers, going two shutout innings striking out five. Garcia was tagged with the loss, yielding five runs in 4 2/3 innings to fall to 0-3 on the year.
FSW falls to 26-14 on the year while SCF remains red hot, improving to 23-19.
The Bucs now turn their focus back to a key Southern Conference series this week as they will go back and forth with Miami Dade Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday with the series beginning in Fort Myers Wednesday at 2 at Buccaneers Park.