ST. AUGUSTINE – Pitching was on display in the season opener for both Flagler College and Missouri Southern State University Thursday night at Drysdale Field. Missouri Southern won 3-2 on the strength of its pitching staff, which struck out 19 batters. Flagler's staff fanned 15 batters.
"This was a tough opener," said head coach Dave Barnett. "(Zac) Shoemaker was really good tonight. We need to get the bats going tomorrow."
Missouri Southern struck first as Troy Gagan belted a two-run home run over the left-center field in the third inning. The batter prior to Gagan, Jordan Fitzpatrick, reached on a throwing error by Saints pitcher
Zach Audet (0-1). With two outs, Fitzpatrick hit a bouncer back to the mound that briefly got away from Audet. He picked up the loose ball and his throw to first went down the right field line allowing Fitzpatrick to advance to second.
In the sixth, Matt Miller hit a solo home run to right field to give the Lions a 3-1 lead.
MSSU starter Zac Shoemaker (1-0) kept the Saints bats quiet as he allowed one run on four hits in five innings of work. He struck out 11 batters. Cole Woods tossed the final two innings to pick up the save. He finished with five strikeouts.
Matthew Burke led Flagler as he went 2-for-4 with a double, scored two runs, and he drove in another.
Jake Kaufman,
Chase Carney, and
Donovan Garcia each had a base hit. Carney drove in the other Flagler run.
Audet allowed one earned run and three hits over five innings. He tied his career-high in strikeouts with seven.
Henry Kusiak paced the Lions with two singles.
The same two teams will meet tomorrow at 6 p.m. at Drysdale Field.
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