Box Score 1 |
Box Score 2 MELBOURNE, Fla. - After the Eckerd softball team took yesterday's opening game, Florida Tech swept a doubleheader on Friday, 13-3 (5 innings) and 5-1, to rally to take the conference series.
In today's opener, the Panthers scored six runs in the second inning to take a commanding lead early in the game. Â Krista Patterson got things started with a two-run home run followed by a solo shot from Vanessa Rubio. Â Alexus Smith then doubled the lead with a bases-loaded double.
Eckerd (17-29, 6-15 SSC) responded with three runs in the fourth with
Nikole Van Gennep ripping a double into right field to bring home
Rachael Luckett and
Chelsea Armstrong. Â Van Gennep then scored on an RBI single by
Dana Paul.
However, FIT matched the Tritons in the bottom of the frame and then completed a run-rule victory with four runs in the fifth, the game coming to an end on a three-run blast by Rubio.
Grace Willeck (2-7) took the loss, allowing six runs in 1-2/3 innings. Â
Madison Saltzman finished the game, throwing three innings and giving up seven runs.
The Tritons took an early lead in the finale, scoring in the top of the first when
Crystal Garcia crossed the plate after an error allowed her to come in from second base.
From there, Rachel Pence shut down the Eckerd bats allowing only one hit over the final six innings.
Van Gennep (12-17) held Florida Tech at bay until the bottom of the fourth when the Panthers got on the board via a two-out, two-run home run by Makayla Palmer.
FIT (25-23, 10-11 SSC) added three more runs in the sixth including another two-run homer by Smith.
The Tritons return to the field next Friday hosting the University of Tampa in a three-game series with senior day on Saturday.
