Detroit won the annual exhibition against Florida Southern College down in Lakeland. Credit those college kids for letting us beat the shit out of them every year, it’s been a tradition for almost 30 years (they got us a couple of times – ’05 and ’06). I’m sure it’s a thrill for the Mocs.
Tim Melville got the start for the Tigers, going two shutout innings with three K’s. Our pitching staff was dominant, only allowing two runs and five hits while striking out eleven and walking three.
The starters only took one at-bat, then let the AAA-ers and such play the university. Bryan Holaday scored the game’s first run, driving in Andrew Romine. Both should be on our bench this season. The Mocs didn’t like what they saw, and scored two runs off the game’s winning pitcher Kyle Ryan.
The Tigers had to show them who was boss. We scored six runs the next inning for a 7-2 lead. We tacked on runs the next three innings for that 12-2 final. The last pitcher for Detroit struck out the side to end the game. Sorry, Mocs!
Our lineup combined to bat over .400, walked seven times, and stole two bases. No errors and one double play round out a very solid opening. It’s nice to evaluate these potential bullpen snarfs right now, too. Anyone who wants to make the majors had better be prepared.