LAKELAND, Fla. – The Kentucky Wesleyan College baseball team moved back to .500 after a late rally to take down No. 28 Florida Southern on Wednesday night.  The Panthers trailed by two entering the seventh but scored 14 runs in the final three innings to win 17-8.

Joseph Burke blasted the first of three home runs in the top of the first.  A two-out solo shot gave Wesleyan a 1-0 lead.

Florida Southern took the lead in the bottom of the second with three runs until Burke sent another ball over the fence.  Another two-out solo home run cut Wesleyan's deficit to one.

The Mocs led off the bottom of the third with a home run of their own to take a 4-2 lead.  Wesleyan got one back in the top of the fourth as Ben Wilcoxson recorded a RBI groundout.

The Panthers drew four walks in the top of the seventh, including two with the bases loaded to tie the game at five.  Burke just missed his third home run of the night with a fly ball to left field, but was able to drive in Reece Puckett to put the Panthers ahead by one.

Wesleyan blew the game open in the top of the eighth, scoring eight runs off of seven hits.  With Ian Ellis on third, Puckett laid down a suicide bunt that was mishandled by the pitcher, allowing Ellis to score. 

Cody Bridges, Lane Kennemore and Burke recorded back-to-back-to-back RBI singles before Ostin Clark and Brayden Sisson laid down back-to-back RBI doubles.  The five straight hits plated six runs for the Panthers.  Their eighth and final run came on a hit by pitch with the bases loaded.

In the top of the ninth, Burke wasn't done yet, hitting his third home run of the game.  This time a two-run shot down the left field line.

Burke finished four-for-five with three home runs, four runs scored, and six runs driven in.  Kennemore, Clark and Wilcoxson each finished with at least two hits and two RBI's.

Cam Chapman took a no decision in his second start of the season, going 3.2 innings with three strikeouts, five hits and five runs.  Bo Robison picked up his first win of the year, striking out four and allowing two runs off of one hit.  Seth Wright closed out the final inning, striking out two and allowing one run off of one hit.

The Panthers have won three games in as many days in Florida this week.  Wesleyan will take Thursday off before facing Saint Leo on Friday and Saginaw Valley on Saturday.

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