Neal Homers Twice in Loss to Quincy

Reid Neal - Photo credit: James Ragan Photography

A three-run home run by Quincy’s Jake Walters in the top of the ninth inning was the difference Saturday, as the Florida Tech Panthers lost their second game of the weekend 8-5, to the Quincy Hawks.

The decisive long ball was the second of the day for Walters, who also hit one in the second inning. Florida Tech’s Reid Neal matched him with home runs in the bottom of the first and bottom of the ninth. It was a back-and-forth affair for much of the day, with the teams combining for 19 hits, but in the end, the Panthers suffered their second loss of the weekend, at Bob Stein Stadium in Dahlonega, GA.

Quincy struck first against Florida Tech starter Tyler Deel.  Jack Klages doubled leading off the game and later scored on an error. The Panthers answered immediately in the bottom of the inning. John Sternagel drew a walk to lead off the inning and Reid Neal took Quincy starter Mark Niebrugge, deep and out, giving the Panthers a 2-1 lead.

Deel (2-2) pitched well overall, striking out 10 over four innings of work. He struck out the side three times, including in the second inning, but he also gave up a home run to Nolan Snyder knotting things up at two.

Quincy (5-2) showed patience to start the third, working Deel for three straight walks. J.C. DeMuri then hit into a double play, allowing the lead run to score. The Panthers threatened in the bottom of the third, loading the bases with one out, but they couldn’t capitalize.

Deel made quick work of the Hawks in the fourth, striking out the side for the second time. His squad rewarded him with a two-out, two-run blast from Sternagel, making it a 4-3 game.

Quincy loaded the bases in the bottom of the fourth, using two more walks and a Dominic Miles single to load the bases. Drew Beyer relieved Deel, inheriting a three- ball count against Walters, before getting him to pop out. Unfortunately for the Panthers, Beyer couldn’t get out of the inning unscathed, giving up a two-run single to DeMuri and giving the Hawks a 5-4 lead.
T
hat closed the book on Deel, who allowed three hits and five runs (four earned) in four-plus innings of work. He threw 85 pitches, allowing three hits and five walks, while striking out 10.

Beyer seemed to be getting stronger as the game went on, striking out the side in the top of the eighth. Things changed dramatically in the ninth, when with one out, Walters hit the bomb that gave his team an 8-4 cushion.

Beyer gave up three runs on six hits in his five innings of work. He walked one and struck out six, throwing 89 pitches.

Florida Tech did not go quietly in the ninth, with Neal hitting his second home run of the day and Grant McKown hitting a double, before Ryan Sinzenich flew out to end the game. Cole Crawford got the final two outs, picking up the save.

For more info: Quincy @ Florida Tech Box Score

Riley Martin, who pitched 4.1 innings in relief of Niebrugge, got the win for Quincy. He allowed one run on five hits and struck out four.

The Panthers (9-5) will travel to Auburndale, FL on Saturday, for games against the University of Mary (11:00 a.m.) and Walsh University at 2:30 p.m. They return home Monday, to take on Winona University at 3:00 p.m.



This blog is an extension of our website - Sportslowdown.com Follow us on Twitter @sports_lowdown

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Panthers Rout Tarzans in Home Opener

Image
Sam Daniel (0) led the Panthers with 22 points in Monday's 110-84 victory After opening the season with two losses in the South Regional Tipoff Classic over the weekend, the Florida Tech Men’s Basketball team took their frustrations out on Puerto Rico-Mayaguez on Monday, with a 110-84 home victory. “It always feels good to home to the friendly confines of the Clemente Center,” said FIT head coach Billy Mims. “I knew when we got back here we’d shoot the ball better and we knocked down 14 threes’ and that’s the way we’re supposed to shoot the basketball.” Florida Tech (1-2) allowed five double-digit scorers in both losses in Atlanta. On Monday, they only allowed three and they had five of their own, led by Sam Daniel , who finished with 22, despite having only four in the first half. “The first half they had a box-and-one one me, pretty much had a player chasing me wherever I went,” Sam said. “It was an excellent job by my teammates stepping up to score the ball an...
Read more

FIT Women Fall Short Against Rollins

Image
The Florida Tech Women’s basketball team made a late run at a comeback Wednesday against Rollins, but ultimately the Tars hung on for a 72-67 Sunshine State Conference win. “It comes down to Rollins wanted that game more than we did,” said Panthers head coach John Reynolds. “I’m thinking that and it hurts me to say something like that, but you can’t come out in a conference game and go 3-for-14 on three’s.” Florida Tech (5-2, 1-2 SSC) led 14-11 after one quarter, The Panthers were within a point at 27-26, but a six-point run by Rollins late in the second helped them outscore the Panthers 25-14 in the quarter and go to the locker room with a 36-28 advantage. The visitors were 5-of-13 beyond the arc in that first half, while the Panthers went 0-for-8. Shequana Harris had eight points and three rebounds in the first 20 minutes, to pace the Panthers. “I think she played as hard and as good as she could,” said Reynolds of Harris. Marie Gilbert gave the Tars a 42-33 adv...
Read more

Tars Big Second Half Beats Panthers

Image
Jordan Majors - Photo credit: James Ragan Photography The Florida Tech Men’s basketball team had a tough task Saturday, when they traveled to Rollins. For the first 20 minutes, they looked up for it, as they led the Tars 38-32 at the half. Unfortunately for the Panthers, the home team put the pedal to the medal in the second half, scoring 59 points and winning 91-82 in a Sunshine State Conference game. It was the second straight devastating loss in the conference for the Panthers, who dropped a very controversial home game to Saint Leo on Wednesday. “We must be the best first half team in America,” said Florida Tech head coach Billy Mims, in his post-game interview with Jim Mitchell. “But we can’t play 40 minutes of consistency to save or lives.” The Panthers (11-8, 4-6 SSC) were up 12 against Saint Leo and up six at Rollins at the half, but lost both games. Florida Tech got off to a good start Saturday, with Jordan Majors hitting two quick threes. Things sagged...
Read more