Szpik Homers Twice in Panthers Win Over Tampa

Daniel Szpik - Photo credit: James Ragan Photography

Florida Tech handed the Tampa Spartans their second loss in conference play on Friday night, as Daniel Szpik hit two homers in a 14-8 win over the Spartans. Florida Tech out hit Tampa 12-10.

The Panthers used a seven-run second inning and kept the high-powered Spartans at arm’s length all night, earning a huge Sunshine State Conference win.  Szpik went 3-for-4 with four RBIs and scored three runs, while John Sternagel homered and drove in three.

Tampa (21-8, 8-2 SSC) jumped out to a 3-0 lead against Florida Tech starter Ty Cohen. J.D Osborne had a sac fly, Laz Rivera had an infield hit and Vin Cosenzo’s RBI ground out gave Tampa the early lead. The Panthers got one run back in the bottom of the inning, when David Wilson was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded.

The bottom of the second was the difference in the game. The Panthers sent 11 batters to the plate and scored seven times, against Tampa starter Garrett Cave. Reid Neal had an RBI single, closing the gap to 3-2 and then the Panthers offense exploded.

Sternagel came to the plate with two runners on. He appeared to get hit by a pitch, but the umpire called it a foul ball. The Panthers trainer came out, head coach Greg Berkemeier came out and questioned the call, while checking on his player. It didn’t matter, as Sternagel got the ultimate revenge. He rocketed a pitch over the left field wall, giving Florida Tech a 5-3 lead.

Szpik followed with a double and came home on a single by Nick Capra. That brought Cave’s night to a close. He was relieved by Jordan Leasure. Wilson greeted him with a single and Ryan Sinzenich capped the inning with a two-run double, running the Panthers lead up to 8-3. That was the sixth hit of the inning for the Panthers.

In the bottom of the third, Sternagel was hit by a pitch again and this time was rewarded first base. Szpik would follow with his first big fly of the night, making it a 10-3 game.

The Spartans got two runs back in the fifth on a Darren Miller two-run double, cutting the lead in half, 10-5. Cohen (4-3) made it through that fifth inning, giving up five runs (four earned) on five hits. He walked three and struck out three, picking up the victory.

Szpik’s second homer of the night came in the fifth inning. Grant McKown, who was hit by a pitch to start the inning, led him home and the Panthers were up 12-5.

Grant Willcoxon took over for Cohen and ran into major trouble, giving up a hit and hitting a batter. 

Danny Lee had an RBI single and Kevin Santa added one of his own, making it 12-7. Miller drew a bases loaded walk, to close the gap to four runs, but Willcoxon bounced back to get Cosenzo to hit into the 6-4-3 double play. Truly a pitcher’s best friend in this case.

Florida Tech (18-11, 4-3 SSC) got a run back in the bottom of the frame. Sinzenich tripled and Trent Masih was robbed of a double by Richie Rivera, who made a diving catch in center field. The ball was long enough to get Sinzenich home, giving the Panthers a 13-8 lead.

The Panthers final run of the night came in the bottom of the seventh. Neal reached on an error. He stole second and then went to third on an errant throw. Two outs later, Capra singled him home, making it 14-8.

Luke Lorah pitched three innings in relief of Willcoxon, allowing two hits. He walked one and struck out four.

For more info: Tampa @ Florida Tech Box Score

Capra (2-for-5) and Sinzenich (3-for-5) joined Szpik with multi-hit nights for the Panthers. Laz Rivera led the Spartans, going 3-for-5.

The series wraps up on Saturday, with a doubleheader. The first pitch is scheduled for noon.

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