'Canes surrender four runs in the ninth, lose 6-5

'Canes surrender four runs in the ninth, lose 6-5

No. 14-ranked Florida Southern scored four runs in the ninth inning to defeat GSW 6-5 in the first game of a three-game weekend series in Lakeland, Fla.

Southwestern drops to 8-10 overall. FSC, improves to 11-4.

The Moccasins took a 2-0 lead after scoring a pair of runs in the second inning. 

GSW broke through with three runs in the seventh on two hits, a walk and a pair of wild pitches. 

The 'Canes held the one-run lead until the ninth.

The Moccasins' rally started when Braxton Chisholm reached on an error with one out.  Colin Kaline and Trae Gore drew back-to-back walks to load the bases.  After reliever Bud Fuller sent Chisholm home on a wild pitch, Kirkland smacked a two-run double to left center, scoring Kaline and Gore to tie the game.  Shields then singled to left on a 1-0 count and Kirkland came home with the winning run.

Both starting pitchers turned in strong outings, but neither was involved in the decision.  The Moccasins' Max Russell worked 6.2 innings, striking out 12.  He struck out the side in the first two innings and did not allow a hit until the sixth.  Southwestern's R.M. Cozza pitched 8.1 innings and struck out eight.

Fuller took the loss, falling to 1-3. Daniel Tillman pitched the final 2.1 innings for FSC and picked up the win.

Shane Doyle was the lone Hurricane to record a multi-hit game, finishing 3-for-5 with three RBI.

The Hurricanes and Moccasins play a doubleheader Saturday at 2 p.m.