AVON PARK, FLA.- Better late than never was the #10 Florida SouthWestern State Buccaneers motto on Monday as they came from behind twice, including a six run ninth inning to stun South Florida State 12-7 and sweep the series from the Panthers.
Things got off to a good start for the Bucs as they used a Panther error and a two out, two run single from Warnner Rincones in the second to jump out to an early 3-0 lead.
South Florida answered back though, using a Buccaneer error in the bottom of the frame to get something of their own going, eventually plating a pair of runs to cut the FSW lead to 3-2.
A two out ground ball in the third looked like it had the Bucs out of trouble, but another FSW error on the play allowed two more South Florida runs to score to give the Panthers their first lead of the game at 4-3.
Rincones stepped up big again in the fourth though, knotting the game with his second two out run scoring single to make it a 4-4 contest.
The back and forth affair continued as Nathan Kinsch drove home a run in the fifth to put FSW back in front 5-4, but the Panthers got a two out run of their own in the bottom of the sixth to tie the game for the second time at 5-5.
The Panthers regained the lead in the seventh with a trio of singles to make it a 6-5 game, but four straight FSW walks in the top half of the eighth allowed them to tie the game back up without taking the bat off their shoulder as things evened up at 6-6.
After loading the bases with one out, the Panthers took the lead once again in the bottom of the eighth on a sacrifice fly and the Bucs looked like they were in trouble, down to their final three outs of a long, drawn out night, down 7-6.
That's when the Bucs broke out. FSW caught a break to start the inning as their leadoff man reached on a dropped third strike. Two walks loaded the bases and a third consecutive walk brought a run home to tie the score at 7-7. A single from Victor Florentino broke the deadlock and put the Bucs up 9-7, but they weren't done there. Later in the inning a groundout pushed their lead to 10-7 and on his third two out hit of the night, Rincones brought home two more runs for insurance to make it a 12-7 contest.
The six run ninth for FSW seemed to have broken the Panthers spirits as they were retired in order for just the second time all night in the bottom of the frame as the Bucs locked up a 12-7 win to finish off a much needed series sweep.
The Bucs were again outhit by South Florida, but used 11 free passes from Panther pitching to aid in their efforts. Rincones was the story, going 3 for 5 with five RBI's, all of his damage coming with two outs, while Kinsch and Florentino each drove in two runs in the win as well. FSW used five different pitchers in the win. Mitch Myers started and got a no decision, allowing six hits and five runs, only one earned, while striking out seven. Mason Adams earned the victory in relief, going 1 2/3 innings, yielding a run on two hits while fanning three to improve to 5-1 on the year.
FSW improves to 32-11 overall on the year and 13-8 in Suncoast Conference play, where they keep pace with State College of Florida for the number two position in the standings. South Florida drops their eighth straight conference game to fall to 15-30 overall and 4-17 in league play.
The Bucs are back in action on Wednesday in Clearwater when they will take on St. Petersburg in the first of a three game set with first pitch scheduled at 6 PM.