Sternagel Homers Twice in Panthers Comeback Win

John Sternagel went 2-for-5 with 4 RBI's Friday night - Photo credit: James Ragan Photography

John Sternagel propelled the Florida Tech Panthers to an 8-5 come-from behind win over Lynn Friday night, in a Sunshine State Conference baseball showdown. Sternagel hit two-run home runs in the seventh and eighth inning, helping FIT secure their first conference win of the season. Nick Capra also contributed in a big way, with three hits and three RBIs.

I think we got a gritty club,” said Sternagel. “It would’ve been easy down 5-1, to say maybe we’ll just come back at it tomorrow, but instead, we just kept fighting and kept grinding and ended up with a W.”

Things did not start well for the Panthers, who left the bases loaded in the second inning and were down 2-0 in the third when Panthers starter Ty Cohen gave up a two-run home run off the bat of Miguel Ceballos. The Panthers did get a run back in the bottom of the inning, when Daniel Szpik doubled and came home on a triple from Capra.

The Fighting Knights (20-8) who were ranked 10^th in the country coming in, added three more in the fourth inning. With runners at second and third, Jake Rouse hit a roller to Grant McKown at first. He fielded the ball, but his throw home was later, making it a 3-1 game. Designated hitter Frank Grandinette singled in a run and a sac fly by Jonathon Corbitt, made it a 5-1 lead for the Fighting Knights.

“You gotta give them credit, they’re a good club and they’re well coached,” said Florida Tech head coach Greg Berkemeier. “They did a great job of coming out and taking the lead there early on and they were up 5-1.”

Lynn starter Donavan Armas gave up just one more run in the bottom of the fifth. Reid Neal started the inning with a double and went to third on a passed ball. He came home on a ground out by Capra. 

After David Wilson was hit by a pitch, Ryan Sinzenich hit a deep fly ball to center. D.J. Daniels dove for it, but from a distance, it appeared to fall in. That was not the case, as the umpire said the ball was caught, ending the inning. Berkemeier went out to discuss the call, but as you would expect, the discussion ended quickly.

Armas would give the Knights six innings, striking out 10 and walking two. He gave up eight hits. 

“We did a good job of finally being able to wear their starter out and get him out of the game,” said Berkemeier. We were able to get into the pen and put some good swings on the ball there.”

Once Lynn was forced to go to the bullpen, the Panthers offense kicked into gear. Enrique Perez walked Reid Neal to start the inning and Sternagel paid that off in a hurry, taking Perez deep and closing the gap to 5-4.

Nick Capra - Photo credit: James Ragan

Szpik then struck out swinging, but ran to first on a dropped third strike. He was hit in the back by the throw to first, but was called out for interference. A bunt single by Capra kept the inning going, but he was stranded at second.

The Panthers (15-11) would complete the comeback in the bottom of the eighth. Kevin Capella would draw a leadoff walk and move to second on a sac bunt by Trent Masih. McKown’s RBI double knotted the game at five and would bring Perez’s night to a close.

He was replaced by Daniel Nuzzi, who got Neal to fly out before facing Sternagel, who hit a deep fly that cleared the fence and gave the Panthers a 7-5 lead.

“Honestly, I just wanted a strike,” said Sternagel, of his second long ball. “I felt like I was a little out of my zone, out of myself. I said to myself I’m gonna take a deep breath, slow the ball down and get something I can hit. Thankfully, it worked out well and God willing, that was a crazy game.”

After Szpik singled and stole second, Capra brought him home with his third hit and third RBI of the night. Nuzzi was then replaced by Alec Hernandez, who got out of the inning, without further damage.

“We did a good job of battling back,” said Berkemeier. “We showed some toughness there and showed some ability to trust one another.”

Ty Cohen - Photo credit: James Ragan

Lost in the excitement of the offensive heroics, was the effort of Cohen, who, despite struggling in the early innings, battled through eight. He gave up five runs on six hits, walking two and striking out five.

“He did a tremendous job,” Berkemeier said of Cohen. “He settled in there after that fourth inning and really started throwing the ball well, the way that he’s capable of.”

At that point, it was up to closer Drew Beyer, who came in throwing nothing but strikes in the ninth. He made quick work of the Fighting Knights, striking out two of the three batters he faced and picking up his fourth save of the season.

“That’s kind of what you’ve come to expect from Drew,” Berkemeier said. “He does a good job of pounding the strike zone, he’s able to command the ball on multiple pitches and did a great job of executing there at the end, shutting the door and not allowing them to get any momentum coming back.”

“He’s about as good as it gets,” Sternagel said of Beyer. “Every time a situation gets tough and we need a guy out of the pen,” he’s the first one to come up. He’s a grinder, he gets after it and doesn’t shy away from tight situations like that.”

Drew Beyer - Photo credit: James Ragan Photography

For more info: Lynn @ Florida Tech Box Score

The series wraps up Saturday, with a doubleheader starting at noon, at Andy Seminick-Les Hall Field.

“Our goal isn’t just to win the series,” said Sternagel. “We wanna sweep, you wanna win every single game. We gotta come out and compete from the first pitch of the first game, to the last pitch of the last game”

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