Florida Tech Drops Conference Opener at Tampa


Pitching was the name of the game Friday night, as the Tampa Spartans beat Florida Tech 2-0 in the Sunshine State Conference softball opener for the Panthers.

Rachel Pence (7-4) allowed four hits and two runs (one earned) in six innings of work. She struck out one and walked one. On most nights that would be good enough for a victory, but on this night, she was outdueled by Makaleigh Dooley, who went the distance for the home team, allowing just one hit to the Panthers.

The Panthers did get a runner on in the top of the first when Vanessa Rubio reached on an error, but she was stranded. Tampa got on the board in the bottom of the second when Corynn Miner doubled with one out and came home one batter later, on a sacrifice fly off the bat of Maddie Farrell.

Florida Tech (10-6, 0-1) threatened in the top of the fourth, starting the inning with a Krista Patterson single, Rubio hit into a fielder’s choice and moved to second on Makayla Palmer’s walk. Rachel Kraak then singled to left, but a good throw got Rubio at the plate and Tampa retained their 1-0 lead.

Tampa (9-2, 3-1) added a run in the sixth with an RBI single from Miner. The run was unearned, due to an error earlier in the inning.

For more info: Florida Tech @ Tampa Box Score

The series concludes Saturday with a doubleheader, at noon and 2:00 p.m.


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