Posted: Feb 14, 2023
FORT MYERS, Fla.- The Florida SouthWestern State Buccaneers christened their new on campus field with a dominating 11-0 win over Inspiration Academy Tuesday afternoon. Isaac Upole threw six spotless innings while the FSW offense clubbed six extra base hits, including a three run home run from Johnnie Lopez to kick in the run rule in the 7th against the Lions.
Drawing the start in the Bucs home opener, Isaac Upole cruised through a quick 1-2-3 top of the 1st inning before Sergio Rivera recorded the first hit in Buccaneers Park history to begin the bottom of the frame, a triple to left center and scored on a groundout from Anthony Westbrook to put the Bucs up early 1-0.
The Bucs added to the lead in the 2nd when Austin Douglas split the gap in right center for a two run double to make it a 3-0 game.
Upole continued to slice through the Lions lineup like a knife through butter in the 3rd, needing just 29 pitches to retire the first nine hitters he faced through three to keep it a 3-0 game as the teams flew to the 4th.
The Bucs tacked on another run in the 4th as AJ Shaver was hit by a pitch to begin the inning, stole second, and then scored on an RBI single from Eddie-Boe Rodriguez to make it 4-0 FSW.
The Lions broke up Upole's perfect game and no hit bid with a one out single in the 5th, but Westbrook cut down the runner trying to steal second and Upole got a pop out to end the inning to keep the Bucs in front 4-0 midway through.
The Bucs blew things open in the bottom of the 5th as Shaver crushed a ground rule double to right with the bases loaded to up the lead to 6-0 and they tacked on two more runs later in the inning to lead it 8-0 at the end of five complete.
Neither side pushed anything across in the 6th and Henry Hardie worked a 1-2-3 top of the 7th to keep it an 8-0 game at stretch time.
After two quick outs in the bottom of the 7th, Rodriguez doubled and Aries Samek was hit by a pitch before pinch hitter Johnnie Lopez drilled a three run shot out to left center, the first home run in Buccaneers Park history to end it as the Bucs won it 11-0 in a run rule.
Upole went six shutout innings on just 60 pitches to earn his second win of the season on the mound. The Bucs finished with nine hits, six for extra bases, with Rodriguez leading the way with a 3-4 effort with a pair of runs scored.
The Bucs draw back to .500 on the season at 6-6 with the win while Inspiration Academy falls to 0-3 against FCSAA foes.
The Bucs are back in action at home on Friday when they host Pasco-Hernando in a 1 PM first pitch from Buccaneers Park.
