Flagler Beats Florida Tech on Hit-By-Pitch

Ryan Sinzenich - Photo credit: James Ragan Photography 

The Florida Tech Panthers lost a non-conference baseball game at Flagler on Tuesday, with the Saints taking the lead in the bottom of the eighth on a hit-by-pitch and hanging on for a 6-5 victory.

Grant McKown and Ryan Sinzenich accounted for all the Panthers runs, with a two-run home run and a three-run home run, in the losing cause.

Panthers starting pitcher Sam Crocker struggled on this night, giving up five earned runs in 2.1 innings, including two in the first inning. Crocker gave up consecutive singles to Ethan Crout, Dylan Jones and Igor Baez. The Baez single resulted in the first run and a fielder’s choice by Jason Moore.

The second inning started much the same way for Flagler, with a Bobby Bassler single. David Drysdale then dropped down a perfect bunt, beating the throw to first. One out later, Crocker watched as a Jones fly ball cleared the right field wall, giving the Saints a 5-0 lead.

In the third inning, the Panthers answered with a long ball of their own, off the bat of McKown. Trent Masih scored ahead of McKown, making it 5-2.

Crocker gave up a single to Moore to start the third and after a wild pitch and a strikeout, Crocker gave way to Jake Lane on the mound. Crocker allowed seven hits, struck out two and did not walk a batter. He threw 57 pitches.

Flagler starter Nick Martinez lasted three innings, walking two and striking out two and allowing two earned runs. Dustin Dye pitched the fourth and Jordan Doyle pitched the fifth. The Panthers finally made some noise against Dustin Pagano in the seventh.

Dan Szpik singled off the first baseman’s glove and Nick Capra singled. David Wilson laid down a sacrifice bunt, moving the runners up. Sinzenich took one pitch, before blistering a fastball over the left field wall, tying the game at five.

Flagler (25-16) got a single from Baez to start the eighth inning and Moore reached on an error by Reid Neal at third. Luke Lorah took over for Lane on the mound. Jake Hathaway greeted him with a single, loading the bases. Brett Porter was called on to get the Panthers out of the jam, replacing Lorah on the mound.

After striking out Ja'Kobi Dasher, Porter plunked Lorenzo Butler with a 3-1 pitch, scoring Baez with the eventual winning run. The Panthers went down in order in the top of the ninth.


Florida Tech (21-14) returns home Thursday, to take on the Embry-Riddle Eagles. First pitch is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. The series wraps up Friday afternoon, with a doubleheader, starting at noon.


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