Panthers Take Game One from Choctaws


The Florida Tech Panthers won their opening baseball game of the season on Friday, 6-4 over the Mississippi College Choctaws, 6-4. It did not come easy, as Florida Tech had to score four runs in their last at bat, to erase a two-run deficit.

The Panthers (1-0) had eight hits on the day, with John Sternagel, Grant McKown and Ryan Sinzenich doing the bulk of the damage, with two each. Sinzenich led the Panthers with three RBIs.

The seven-inning game was scoreless for the first three innings, before Sternagel took Tommy Taborda deep over the left-center field wall on an 0-1 count, to give the Panthers a 1-0 lead. FIT added a run in the sixth with McKown doubling down the left field line with one out. Two batters later, Sinzenich brought him home with a single, giving the Panthers a 2-0 lead.

Panthers starting pitcher Ty Cohen was pitching well through the first five frames, but the Choctaws finally got to him in the bottom of the sixth. With one out, Cohen gave up back-to-back singles to Austin Warkentin and Hunter Wilson. An error loaded the bases and two batters later, Hunter Austin rifled a double down the line, tying the game at two.

After giving up a walk, Cohen got the hook from Panthers head coach Greg Berkemeier. Drew Beyer came in to pitch and he got a less than warm greeting from Kyle Smith, who shot a double down the left field line and just like that, the Panthers were down 4-2. Both of those runs were unearned, as Mississippi College sent nine men to the plate.

The Panthers came to bat in the top of the seventh, facing their last opportunity at the plate and they made the most of it. David Wilson singled with one out and Sternagel got a hit of his own one out later. An error on the play allowed both runners to move up.

Hunter Mullis, who took over for Taborda in the sixth inning, proceeded to walk Reid Neal, loading the bases. Another free pass to McKown made it a 4-3 game and the third consecutive walk went to Dan Szpik, tying it up again, 4-4.

That brought an end to the day for Mullis, who gave way to Shelby Craddock. After he was able to strike out his first batter, Craddock watched as Sinzenich singled to right on a 1-2 count, scoring two runs and giving the Panthers a 6-4 advantage, they would not relinquish.

Beyer got the win for the Panthers, throwing 1.1 innings, allowing two hits and striking out two. Mullis took the loos, he gave up four runs on three hits and three walks.

For more info: Florida Tech @ Mississippi College Box Score



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