Pence Stifles Palm Beach Atlantic Offense

Karina Suicava - Photo credit: James Ragan Photography

Florida Tech softball won its fourth consecutive game Friday afternoon, taking down the visiting Palm Beach Atlantic Sailfish by the score of 8-1, in the opener of a three-game series.

“We played really well in all three areas, pitching offense and defense,” said Panthers coach Val Silvestrini. “That was going to be our challenge for this year and I’m really proud of the way we played today.”

The Panthers used home runs from Julianna Goldberg and Karina Suicava, along with a stellar pitching performance from Rachel Pence, who allowed just three hits and struck out seven en route to her 10th win of the season.

“She did awesome, it’s all about her hitting her spots and having the right spin,” said Panthers coach Val Silvestrini, of Pence. “I think she’s doing a much better job lately with that and she called a great game.”

Florida Tech (15-16) got to Sailfish starter Ashton Adkins early, scoring three runs in the bottom of the first. Alexus Smith led off with a double and came home on a Krista Patterson RBI single. She moved to second on the throw and the Panthers were up 1-0.

Makayla Palmer then hit a liner to second that was snared by Hannah Carlton at second, who tumbled over a teammate, but was able to hang on to the ball. With two outs, Goldberg took Adkins deep to left center. It was a no-doubter, giving the Panthers a 3-0 lead.

That was the end of the day for Adkins, who was replaced by Nikki Brinegar, to start the second inning. Florida Tech got to her in the bottom of the fourth. Goldberg led off with a walk and was lifted for pinch-runner Rachel Kraak. After Vanessa Rubio was hit by a pitch, Hailey Leonard hit a rocket that was ticketed for centerfield, until Alexis Guerra leaped up and grabbed it.

Coach Silvestrini was looking for insurance and called for the double steal. The throw to third was offline, allowing Kraak to score the fourth run. After Kaitlin Buchholz laid down a sacrifice bunt, Suicava launched one over the left field wall, giving the Panthers a 6-0 lead.

“She hit one last year, that was the first home run she ever hit,” said Silvestrini. “It’s real exciting to see that out of our ninth hitter.”

Rachel Pence - Photo credit: James Ragan Photography
Meanwhile, Pence (10-9) rolled along, allowing one hit through the first five innings, a bunt single to Magnolia West in the first. West would solve Pence again in the sixth, with a two out single. She would score on a double by Kayla Knight. Pence regrouped to strike out Guerra, to end the inning.

The Panthers added two more in the bottom of the sixth, on Smith’s two-run single. Smith, who finished the day 2-for-4 with a run scored and an RBI, was the only Panther player with a multi-hit day.

Pence finished things off in the seventh, retiring Palm Beach Atlantic in order. She picked up her seventh and final strikeout in the inning.

For more info: Palm Beach Atlantic @ Florida Tech Box Score

The series continues Saturday, with a doubleheader at Nancy Bottge Field, beginning at 1:00 p.m.


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