March 28, 2022
Bucs Drop Close One to End Record Streak
As the old saying goes, all good things must come to an end and the #14 Florida SouthWestern State Buccaneers found that out the hard way on Monday as the Bucs saw their program record 13 game winning streak come to an end at the hands of the #20 Polk State Eagles. Polk used a four run 7th and held off a late rally from FSW for a 9-8 win to salvage the third game of a three game set between the Suncoast Conference's top two teams.
FORT MYERS, Fla.- As the old saying goes, all good things must come to an end and the #14 Florida SouthWestern State Buccaneers found that out the hard way on Monday as the Bucs saw their program record 13 game winning streak come to an end at the hands of the #20 Polk State Eagles. Polk used a four run 7th and held off a late rally from FSW for a 9-8 win to salvage the third game of a three game set between the Suncoast Conference's top two teams.
After FSW dominated the first two games of the series last week, Polk came out swinging on Monday, jumping on the board with a pair of 1st inning hits to take an early 1-0 lead on the Buccaneers.
Polk took advantage of an extra out the Bucs gave them in the 3rd to push across their second run of the game and the Eagles opened up a 5-0 lead with three more runs in the 5th against the FSW bullpen.
The Bucs finally got on the board in the 5th as Simon Baumer ripped a two run double off the wall in right to make it a 5-2 game, but he would not move from there the rest of the frame as FSW remained down by three as the teams headed to the 6th.
After a 1-2-3 top of the 6th from Bucs righthander Ronaldo Fernandez, FSW used the speed of Paxton Tomaini to plate a run to make it 5-3 and then a two run single through the hole on the right side from Baumer to knot the score at 5. The Bucs had a chance for more with runners on the corners and just one out, but a pop out on the infield and a strikeout ended the threat and would come back to haunt FSW later on.
Polk carried the momentum of getting out of the jam right over into the 7th, scoring four times to push back in front 9-5.
For the second straight inning the Bucs had runners on the corners with one out in the 7th, but again weren't able to score as this time a tailor made double play ball helped the Eagles get out of the jam to keep them in front 9-5 at the end of seven.
Brian Holiday retired the side in order in both the 8th and 9th to keep the game there and give the Bucs a chance as they came to hit in their final at bats in the 9th.
Satchell Norman led off the FSW 9th with a solo home run to left to get them back to within three at 9-6. Down to their final out, they put two on and got an RBI single from Matthew Corpas to put the tying run on base with the score 9-7. A passed ball allowed the Bucs to get to within one at 9-8 and put the tying run in scoring position at second, still with two outs. A well earned walk put the winning run on base, but a strikeout ended the threat and in turn the game with Polk holding on for a 9-8 win.
FSW outhit Polk 13-12 in the contest while both teams were sloppy defensively with four errors apiece. Baumer paced the Bucs offense, going 2-4 with a double and three RBIs while Tomaini finished 3-4 in the defeat. Fernandez suffered the loss on the mound for FSW, allowing five hits and four runs, three earned in 1 2/3 innings worked. Holiday worked 2 2/3 scoreless frames to close things out, allowing just one hit while punching out five.
FSW sees their 13 game winning streak snapped as they fall to 25-12 overall and 12-3 in Suncoast Conference play where they still hold a two game lead over the Eagles who improve to 23-13 overall and 10-5 in league play after salvaging the series finale.
The Bucs will look to get back on track Wednesday when they open a three game series against St. Petersburg at home at City of Palms Park with first pitch set for 3 PM.