FORT PIERCE, Fla.- Nate Earley homered twice and drove in three, but it wasn't enough for the #18 Florida SouthWestern State Buccaneers as Bucs pitching allowed 13 hits and walked 10 in a 15-6 run rule loss to Indian River State in non-conference action Tuesday in Fort Pierce. 

 

The Bucs got off to a quick start as Luca Danos started a three hit day for himself with a two out double in the top of the 1^st before he scored on a two run shot to center from Nate Earley to give FSW an early 2-0 lead. 

 

The lead didn't last long though as FSW pitching allowed Indian River to score two runs without a hit in the bottom of the 1^st as the Bucs walked four and had a passed ball to let the Pioneers score two and tie the game at 2 after one. 

 

The Bucs were back at it with the bats in the top of the 2^nd as Jared Davis legged out a one out bunt single and John Long unloaded on a two run home run to right to put FSW back in front 4-2. 

 

Once again the Bucs couldn't hold the lead through the inning as three more free passes and a pair of Indian River hits allowed the Pioneers to push across three runs and take a 5-4 lead at the end of two. 

 

Things continued to unravel on the mound for the Bucs in the 3^rd as they yielded six more Pioneer runs in the bottom of the 3^rd as Indian River blew the lead open to 11-4 after three complete innings of action. 

 

Earley homered again to lead off the FSW 5^th to get the Bucs back to within five at 11-6, but they didn't score again and Indian River added four more to their lead to run rule the Bucs 15-6 in seven.  

 

Earley finished 2-3 with a pair of home runs and three RBIs in the loss for FSW while Danos was 3-4 with two doubles. Landon O'Donnell suffered the loss on the mound to fall to 2-2, allowing three hits and seven walks in two innings of work. 

 

The Bucs drop their second straight to fall to 18-9 overall on the year while Indian River improves to 17-7. 

 

FSW is back in action on Thursday when they make the trip North of Orlando to take on Seminole State in the first of a three game set between the two this weekend.