ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The Eckerd men's tennis team edged out a victory for back-to-back wins at home on the Bullard Courts, as the Tritons defeated the University of Findlay Oilers (Ohio) 4-3 on Friday afternoon.
The Tritons (2-4) beat the Oilers (4-6) in a battle of a match, with three of the singles matches decided in three sets.
The Oilers got an early jump on the Tritons, taking the doubles point. Christian Kearns and Jon William Karlstad defeated Findlay's pairing of Andrew Codita and Octavio Carrasco. The doubles point was decided in the No. 2 draw, with Sam Walker and Eric Asakura holding their opponents Luigi Bove and Dallas Ramsey three times at match point, but ultimately fell in the tiebreak 7-6 (9-7).
Batu Ataseben and Sam Walker both took their draws in two sets, winning 6-1, 6-1, and 6-3, 6-2, respectively. Kearns forced a tiebreak in straight sets, defeating Carrasco 7-6 (7-1), 7-6 (7-1).
The other three singles matches were absolute battles, all decided in three sets.
Karlstad battled back after losing set one in tiebreak in the No. 4 draw 7-6 (7-2). He took set two 6-2 but fell just short in set three 6-3. Asakura forced an early 6-3 jump on his opponent in set one before falling in straight sets 6-2, 6-0.
Esteve Augusti clinched the match for the Tritons in the No. 2 draw. After taking the first set 6-4, Augusti fell to Bove in set two 6-3. Augusti rallied for a 6-1 victory in the final set to give the Tritons their second straight win.
The Tritons host Catawba (NC) on the Bullard Courts Tuesday afternoon, with first serves at 3:00 PM.
Singles competition
1.
Batu Ataseven (ECM) def. Andrew Codita (UFM) 6-1, 6-1
2.
Esteve Augusti (ECM) def. Luigi Bove (UFM) 6-4, 3-6, 6-1
3. Alfredo Berlanga (UFM) def.
Eric Asakura (ECM) 3-6, 6-2, 6-0
4. Wilfredo Lara (UFM) def.
Jon William Karlstad (ECM) 7-6 (7-2), 2-6, 6-3
5.
Christian Kearns (ECM) def. Octavio Carrasco (UFM) 7-6 (7-1), 7-6 (7-1)
6.
Sam Walker (ECM) def. Max Hosey (UFM) 6-3, 6-2
Doubles competition
1. Alfredo Berlanga/Wilfredo Lara (UFM) def.
Batu Ataseven/
Esteve Augusti (ECM) 6-4
2. Luigi Bove/Dallas Ramsey (UFM) def.
Sam Walker/
Eric Asakura (ECM) 7-6 (9-7)
3.
Christian Kearns/
Jon William Karlstad (ECM) def. Andrew Codita/Octavio Carrasco (UFM) 6-3
