February 27, 2024
Bucs Blowout Titans In Midweek Tilt
Two weeks ago, the Florida SouthWestern State Buccaneers needed extra innings twice to defeat the St. Petersburg Titans in their three game sweep, simply put, Tuesday that was not the case as the Bucs got homers from Nate Earley and Jared Davis and a solid outing on the mound from four hurlers in a 12-2 run rule win to improve to 14-6 on the year.
FORT MYERS, Fla.- Two weeks ago, the Florida SouthWestern State Buccaneers needed extra innings twice to defeat the St. Petersburg Titans in their three game sweep, simply put, Tuesday that was not the case as the Bucs got homers from Nate Earley and Jared Davis and a solid outing on the mound from four hurlers in a 12-2 run rule win to improve to 14-6 on the year.
The Bucs got on the board right away in the 1st as Victor Figueroa drove home a run with a single to center and scored on a fielder's choice later in the inning before Evan Kircher singled back up the box to plate another Buccaneer run to make it 3-0 FSW after one.
FSW starter Abel Albarran worked a quick 1-2-3 top of the 2nd and the Bucs offense was back at it in the bottom of the inning as Figueroa picked up his second RBI knock in as many innings and Nate Earley blasted a two run home run to put the Bucs up 7-0 at the end of two complete.
A Jared Davis solo home run to lead off the FSW 4th pade it an 8-0 game and Josiah Velazquez came out of the Buccaneer bullpen to work a 1-2-3 top of the 5th to keep it that way at the end of 4 1/2.
The Bucs loaded the bases without putting the ball in play in the 5th and Cooper Clapp drove in a run with a sacrifice fly to make it 9-0 before Davis singled through the left side to drive home two more to put the Bucs up 11-0 at the end of five.
St. Pete finally broke through in the top of the 7th as they took advantage of a Bucs misplay in the outfield to plate a pair and make it an 11-9 game.
Needing a run to kick in the run rule, the Bucs started their half of the 7th with a pair of walks and then got a third free pass to load the bases with one out. Justin Thomas beat out a double play attempt by the Titans to bring home a run for the Bucs and just like that in the most undramatic of ways, the Bucs won it 12-2 in walk off fashion.
The Bucs banged out 10 hits in the win with Davis leading the charge, going 2-3 ith a homer and three RBIs while Figueroa and Earley both finished 2-4 with a pair of RBIs. THe Bucs were solid on the mound as four pitchers combined to allow just three St. Pete hits. Albarran earned his second win of the season, going four shutout innings and allowing just one hit while striking out four before giving it over to Velazquez and Landon O'Donnell for scoreless frames out of the bullpen.
The Bucs improve to 14-6 on the season while St. Pete falls to 6-11.
FSW turns their focus back to Citrus Conference play with a three game battle for first this weekend when they go to Tampa to take on Hillsborough Thursday before returning home Saturday for a twinbill with the Hawks beginning at noon at Buccaneers Park in Fort Myers.