Panthers Hang on to Beat Marauders



Reid Neal - Photo credit: James Ragan Photography
Reid Neal went 3-for-3 with a home run and knocked in three runs in Saturday, helping the Florida Tech Panthers beat the University of Mary, 8-7 in a neutral site game in Auburndale, Florida as part of the Russmatt Central Florida Invitational.

Tyler Deel pitched five innings for the Panthers and picked up his third win of the season. Luke Lorah gave up a homer in the bottom of the ninth, but hung on for a three inning save.

John Sternagel got the Panthers off to a great start, taking Marauders starter Nicholas Stobbe deep and out, over the left field wall. They added an unearned run later in the inning when Nick Capra singled and advanced on an error, allowing Daniel Szpik to score.

Mary (2-4) answered in the bottom of the inning, with an RBI double from Drew Feuerbach RBI double and an RBI single off the bat of Chris Scott. With one inning in the books, it was 2-2. 

Sternagel came through again in the top of the second when his sac fly brought home Erik Molina, who reached on an error to start the inning.

Neal’s Homer led off the fifth, extending the Panthers lead to 4-2. They added another run in the sixth with two outs. Sternagel singled and stole second and Reid Neal drew a walk, leading to the University of Mary to go to the bullpen. Travis Stevens came in, but he issued back-to-back walks to Grant McKown and Szpik, bringing Sternagel in. That gave the Panthers a 5-2 lead and spelled the end to a very short day for Stevens.

Deel (3-2) ran into trouble in the sixth, walking the first two batters he faced. He was replaced by Brett Porter. After a wild pitch moved the runners up, Porter walked Scott to load the bases. That brought Daulton Sauce to the plate and Porter got him to line one to Molina at third, who stepped on the bag at third and threw to first to complete the double play. A run scored, making it 5-3. A single by Lane Huck, made it a one run contest.

Deel’s book was closed. He pitched five innings, allowing three runs, walked three and struck out seven.

Florida Tech (10-5) got the insurance they needed in the top of the seventh, plating three runs. James Gronberg capped his 3-for-5 day with a bunt single to start the inning. He stole second one out later, and went to third on a Kevin Capella single. Zac Orchard laid down a great bunt, bringing Gronberg home, making it 6-4. Orchard was safe at first and Capella was safe at second.
After a wild pitch, Neal hammered a double to right-center, making it an 8-5 game.

Turns out the Panthers needed all of those runs in the seventh, as the University of Mary struck for two in the bottom of the ninth, thanks to a Feuerbach bomb that hit the scoreboard. Both of those runs were unearned, as the first batter of the inning reached on an error.

The home run came with two outs and Lorah got Mark Kossan to pop out to second, ending the game.

For more info: Florida Tech @ Univ. of Mary Box Score

The Panthers wrap up their weekend on Sunday, with a game against Walsh University. First pitch is scheduled for 2:30 p.m.



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