FIT Blanked in Season Opener



Brandy Marlett threw the third no-hitter of her career Friday, propelling the Angelo State Rambelles to a 12-0 win over Florida Tech in the opening game of the Florida Tech Marriott First Pitch Classic.

Marlett (1-0) faced 26 Florida Tech batters, had nine strikeouts and walked three. She got plenty of offensive help, as the Rambelles hit three home runs as a team, two of those in the first inning.

The visitors jumped on Panthers’ starting pitcher McKenzie Krutsinger early. Bailey Wallace singled with one out and came home on a round-tripper off the bat of Kenedy Urbany, giving the Rams a 2-0 lead. One out later, Courtney Barnhill drew a walk and trotted home on Taegan Kirk’s home run. Just like that, the Rams doubled their lead to 4-0.

The Rambelles added two more runs in the top of the third inning. Krutsinger gave up a walk and two singles, prompting Florida Tech head coach Val Silvestrini to call on Amanda Kahn in relief. Kahn did allow two inherited runners to score, but coming in with the bases loaded and nobody out, it certainly could’ve been worse.

Krutsinger pitched 2+ innings, allowed seven hits and six runs, all earned. She walked three and struck out one, giving up two home runs. Certainly, not the way she wanted to start her season, but there will be better days ahead for her in the circle.

Florida Tech (0-1) mounted their only big threat of the game in the bottom of the frame, against Marlett. Karina Suicava drew a one out walk, Alexus Smith reached on an error and both runners advanced on a wild pitch, putting runners at second and third. 

After Krista Patterson struck out, Hailey Leonard was hit by a pitch, loading the bases. Marlett escaped when she got Vanessa Rubio to strike out.

Kahn saw a stretch where she retired nine in a row, but Angelo State blew things open in the top of the seventh, scoring six runs. The inning was highlighted by a three-run bomb by Kelly Johnson, to cap the scoring.

With that big inning on her line, Kahn gave up six runs (five earned), on seven hits. She struck out three of the 24 batters she faced in four-plus innings of work.


The Panthers will look to bounce back in game two of the tournament on Friday afternoon, against Armstrong State. Rachel Pence makes her 2017 debut in the circle, for the Panthers. 



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