MELBOURNE, Fla. - Despite scoring six runs in the first inning in the opener, the Tritons could not capitalize on early offense as the Panthers scored eight unanswered runs to take the first game, 8-6. However, the Eckerd baseball team bounced back in the finale, holding off a late Florida Tech surge to win the second game, 6-5, and split the doubleheader on Saturday at Seminick-Hall Field.
The Tritons got on the board early when Dimerson Nunez opened the scoring with an RBI groundout in the first inning. Tyler Cox and Gunner Womer added runs with an RBI single and sacrifice fly, respectively, while Peter Stavrakos blew the frame open with a three-run homerun to right field for a 6-0 lead.
The Panthers answered immediately via four runs scored in the second inning on an RBI single by Alec Eldridge, a two-RBI double by Paul Castillo, and a sacrifice fly from Sam Schner. In the third inning, Florida Tech continued to add its favor, tying the game, 6-6, with a two-run homer from Jakob Newton.
Eckerd's bats could not muster any offense, as the Panthers tacked on two more runs in the seventh on a pair of RBI hits to win the opener, 8-6.
Florida Tech opened the scoring in the second showing as Eldridge scored on a wild pitch. EC tied the game in the fourth with an RBI single by Danny Gutcher. The Tritons took a commanding lead in the sixth inning as they reeled in four runs off a two-RBI double by Nunez and an additional two runs as Nunez and Michael Ballard scored on a throwing error.
Jake Andriole extended Eckerd's lead in the eighth inning, 6-1, with an RBI single. However, the Panthers rallied in the ninth inning, plating four runs on two RBI singles and a wild pitch to pull within one, 6-5. Jake Sanderson entered in relief, striking out two to stop FIT's rally and seal the game.
HOW IT ENDED
Game One
Final: Florida Tech 8, Eckerd 6
WP: Rodriguez (1-0) LP: Waxler (0-2) S: Carpenter (4) HR: Stavrakos (1), Newton (1)
Game Two
Final: Eckerd 6, Florida Tech 5
WP: Durham (1-1) LP: Pryzgoda (2-1) S: Sanderson (1)
RECORDS: Eckerd 9-12 (3-3 SSC); Florida Tech 19-6 (5-4 SSC)
NOTES AND NUMBERS
- Cox registered four hits in the first game, going 4-for-5 with an RBI.
- Mikey Burke and Andriole also had multi-hit performances, with two and three hits on the day, respectively.
- Stavrakos' three-run homerun was his first of the season.
- Nunez and Andriole had two RBIs apiece in the second game.
- The Tritons' discipline at the plate was on full display in the finale as EC drew eight walks. Andriole led the way with three.
- Kyle Durham picked up his first win of the season in game two, pitching four innings in relief, fanning six.
- Sanderson earned his first save of the season and struck out both batters he faced.
UP NEXT
Eckerd remains on the road for a three-game SSC series at Florida Southern on Friday at 6:00 PM.
