PENSACOLA, Fla. – UWF ace Dalton Neuschwander struck out a season-high 11 and held Florida Southern to two hits in a complete game, 2-0 win in the opening contest of the NCAA South Regional #2 at Jim Spooner Field.
 
Neuschwander had three pitches working all night. He got things going well, striking out five of the first seven he faced before finishing the night with 70 strikes in 99 pitches.
 
"Dalton had all of his stuff going," UWF head coach Mike Jeffcoat said. "His fastball was outstanding, his cutter was really good and he mixed in a changeup every once in a while. And all of the guys played good defense."
 
For Neuschwander, it was just an attempt to keep the pressure on throughout the game.
 
"I just wanted to keep them off balance and attack, attack, attack."
 
That attacking mode allowed the Gulf South Conference Pitcher of the Year to remain undefeated on the season at 10-0.
 
While he was dealing on the mound, the Argos were steadily putting runners on and chipping away at FSC starter Aric McAtee (6-5).
 
But UWF (38-15) managed just two runs, scoring one in the second and another in the third. In the second, Jadon Fryman knocked one through the hole on the right side of the infield to score Jackson Grabsky from third. An inning later, Trent Jeffcoat matriculated his way around the bases, reaching on a walk, stealing second and then advancing home on consecutive wild pitches.
 
The Argos threatened in the fourth after loading the bases but were unable to add to their lead.
 
Neuschwander meanwhile, took a no-hitter two outs deep into the seventh before Bryce Safferwich singled to left center and Connor Berry followed with a double off the wall. The situation prompted a visit from head coach Mike Jeffcoat where the head man told him to collect himself and trust himself. The Argo righty heeded the instructions and got Drew Cavanaugh swinging to snuff out the potential rally.
 
Perhaps lost in the excitement of the first NCAA postseason shutout for the Argos since Josh Pahlad 1-hit Lee on the same field in 2021 was that Jeffcoat picked up his 600th head coaching victory.
 
"It's something to reflect on after all this is said and done but I'll tell you I wouldn't be here if it weren't for all of the great players and coaches that I've had," said Jeffcoat, who is now 600-325 in 18 seasons with nine NCAA Tournament appearances at UWF.
 
"Most of our coaches have played and come through the program so that helps keep the continuity and winning tradition going. All I've ever tried to do is elevate the program from what Coach (Jim) Spooner had and hopefully we can continue to do that."
 
The Argos will try to add another postseason victory to that resume on Friday when they face Barry. The Bucs jumped on Montevallo early, scoring 10 runs in the first four innings of a 10-3 victory over Montevallo. Savi Delgado and Steven Nitch each had three hits to lead the Bucs' offense.
 
The day got off to a slow start with a six-hour rain and lightning delay. The scheduled noon start for the Barry-UM contest didn't happen until 6 p.m., while the nightcap finished 17 minutes after midnight.
 
Friday's elimination game between FSC and Montevallo will begin at 2 p.m., followed by the UWF-Barry contest 30 minutes after the conclusion.