FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – The Erskine College baseball team (5-2) defeated No. 22 Nova Southeastern University (3-2) by a score of 14-5 at the NSU Baseball Complex on Saturday afternoon. Tariq Bacon, Dale Francis, Jr., and Armando Becerra all homered as the Fleet offense erupted for 14 runs.

THE ESSENTIALS 
Conf. Carolinas Standings | Stats | Scores
Div. II Scores | Record Book | CC Digital Network
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
Dale Francis, Jr. started the scoring for the Fleet with an RBI single in the very first inning as Erskine continued its success in the opening frame this season. Nova Southeastern responded with a run of its own to tie the game. Tariq Bacon answered right back with a two-run home run down the left field line to make it a 3-1 game. The Sharks, though, scored twice in the third to tie the game again. But, Erskine dominated the middle innings and started to put together a convincing lead. Ashby Smith got it started with an RBI single in the fourth. Armando Becerra followed with a sacrifice bunt that scored another run in the fifth, before the Fleet flexed their muscles in the sixth inning. After Ben Maskin led off the frame reaching on an error, Dale Francis, Jr. made it hurt, launching his second home run in as many days and giving Erskine a 7-3 lead. And, the Fleet were far from done. Another Sharks error allowed Bacon to cross home, and then Becerra followed with a two-run home run of his own, capping a scorching hot week for him at the plate and a five-run sixth inning, giving Erskine a commanding 10-3 lead. The Fleet piled it own with three more runs in the seventh on a run-scoring hit from Francis, Jr. and then a two-run triple from Bacon. Smith added an RBI single in the eighth, and a combination of Josh Collett (4.1 innings) and Jared Guell (4.2 innings) controlled the NSU offense, as the Fleet cruised to a 14-5 win over a Top 25 team.

THE PLAYER
Tariq Bacon had his best game of the young 2023 season, going 4-for-5 at the plate with a triple, home run, four RBIs, and two runs scored. Bacon also swiped a pair of bags on the basepaths as he spearheaded an offensive explosion from the Fleet.

WHAT'S NEXT?
Following a seven-game road stretch to begin the season, the Fleet will get set for their home opener as they take on Limestone University (3-4) on Tuesday at 2 p.m. Erskine squeezed past the Saints in their meeting in Due West last year, thanks to a game-winning single from Cal Kryska.
 
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