Catanza Sparks Florida Tech Offense in Win Over Tars

David Wilson - Photo credit: James Ragan Photography

A game that started as a pitcher’s duel on Friday, turned into a lopsided 8-0 Florida Tech victory in the final game of a three-game series against visiting Rollins. The win gives Florida Tech the series win, as they took two of three games. 

The Panthers sent 13 seniors off in grand style, pounding out 12 hits. Reid Neal (2-for-5), Dan Szpik (2-for-5) and Vincenzo Catanza (4-for-4), all had big days for the Panthers. 

Rollins starter Brian Auerbach and Panthers hurler Tyler Deel were shutting the opposing offenses down for much of the first half of the game. Florida Tech did threaten in the bottom of the first when Neal and Szpik singled. Neal tried to score on the Szpik hit, but he was nabbed at the plate, a 9-3-2 put out.

In the top of the fourth, Chris Corbett got the first hit off Deel, a one out double to left. David Wilson dropped the ball in left, allowing Corbett to go to third. Nick Breen then hit one to third and the throw home was in time to get Corbett. Deel got out of the inning.

The Panthers (27-17, 11-7 SSC) loaded the bases twice in Thursday’s middle game of the series and did minimal damage. They did it again in the fifth on Friday, with Catanza hitting a one out double, Trent Masih getting hit by a pitch and Grant McKown drawing a walk. Auerbach battled back to get Reid Neal on a fly out and John Sternagel on strikes.

Deel (5-4) gave up a one out single to Peter Nicoletto in the sixth, but he was picked off, leaning the wrong way. Deel then walked Corbett, but looked to have him dead to rights on the bases, as he was looking for his second pickoff, but Masih couldn’t handle the throw to second. Corbett went to third on the error, but was stranded.

Not scoring in that frame would come back to haunt Rollins, quickly. Szpik would lead off the bottom of the inning with a single and stole second on a very close play. Rollins argued the call, but it stood. One out later, Auerbach was called for a balk.

After Wilson struck out, Szpik was at third with two down. Ryan Sinzenich would walk, bringing Catanza to the plate. He drilled a fly ball down the left field line, that cleared the fence and gave the Panthers a 3-0 lead. It was the first career home run for Catanza, a freshman.

Luke Lorah took over for Deel in the seventh. The Panthers starter allowed just two hits over six innings. He walked three and struck out three. Lorah pitched an inning, striking out one and walking one.

Auerbach went six innings, before giving way to Whit Drennan. He got the first two outs in the seventh, but then ran into major trouble. Sternagel doubled and Szpik reached on an error, before 
Nick Capra was intentionally walked, loading the bases. Joey Vecchione came on to try to get the final out, but he couldn’t do it.

Wilson, who was 0-for-9 in the series going into that at bat, came up and knocked a two-run single to give the Panthers a 5-0 lead. Sinzenich followed with a two-run triple and Catanza’s single made it 8-0.

Brett Porter pitched the eighth and struck out two and Drew Beyer came on to pitch the ninth. He gave up a home run to Corbett on the second pitch he threw, but came back to get the next three batters, including two strikeouts.

For more info: Rollins @ Florida Tech Box Score

Florida Tech will play their final six games on the road, starting Sunday May 7, in Fort Lauderdale, against Nova Southeastern. The doubleheader starts at 1:00 p.m.


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