Florida Tech Splits Doubleheader with Embry-Riddle

Nick Capra - Photo credit: James Ragan Photography

The Florida Tech Panthers came up one hit short of sweeping a doubleheader at Andy Seminick-Les Hall Field on Friday. Instead, the Panthers had to settle for a split with the Embry-Riddle Eagles, winning game one 7-2 and dropping game two in 10 innings, 6-5.

FIT was led by Vincenzo Catanza’s 4-for-4 day in game one. Nick Capra chipped in with a three-hit day. They had half of the Panthers 14 hits in that opening game.

Grant Willcoxon (3-2) shut Embry-Riddle out through the first five innings, while Eagles starter Aidan Brady matched zeros for three innings, did not allow a run and only gave up three hits before giving way to Austin Lee to start the fourth. That’s when the Panthers offense got going.

Dan Szpik reached on an error to start the inning, he moved to third on a single off the bat of Capra. David Wilson grounded out, scoring Szpik with the first run of the day. Ryan Sinzenich followed with an RBI single and Catanza knocked Sinzenich in later in the inning, putting the home team up 3-0.

The fifth saw the Panthers plate three more runs in the fifth inning. Reid Neal started the frame with an infield single and went to third on a single by John Sternagel. An error by the left fielder, allowed Neal to score the fourth run. Szpik followed with an RBI single, upping the lead to 5-0 and Wilson’s sac fly later in the inning, made it 6-0.

Florida Tech scored one more in the eighth, with Catanza starting the inning with a single. Pinch-hitter Michael Jenks drove him in with an RBI single. The Eagles scored twice in the top of the ninth, but the game had long been decided.

For more info: Embry-Riddle @ Florida Tech Box Score (Game 1)

In game two, Embry-Riddle drew first blood against Panthers starter Andy Marzheuser in the top of the first, thanks to a two-run single by Robbie Hanlon.

Florida Tech got one run back in the bottom of the second on Zac Orchard’s infield single, allowing Capra, who was hit by a pitch earlier in the inning, to score.

The Eagles (13-27) scored two more runs in the top of the fourth, extending their lead to 4-1. The Panthers cut the lead in half, getting one run back in the bottom of the fourth. Wilson walked and stole second, he went to third on Orchard’s single and scored on a wild pitch.

Marzheuser went five innings, and gave up four unearned runs on five hits. He struck out two and walked one. Brett Porter gave up two hits in the sixth inning, his only inning of work. Panthers closer Drew Beyer pitched the final four frames.

Capra got his only hit of game two, leading off the bottom of the sixth inning with a double. He went to third on a sac bunt and later scored on a single by Catanza, closing the gap to 4-3.

The Panthers (23-15) mounted a two-out rally in the ninth. Grant McKown doubled down the line in left. He was lifted for pinch-runner Raul Quintero and he was called into action immediately, going to third on a wild pitch by reliever Kenny Burkhead. Sternagel reached on an error, at third, allowing Quintero to score the tying run.

With that, the game went to the 10th inning. Gunnar Bradshaw singled and went to third on a double by Ryan Maxon. Hanlon laid down a sac bunt, scoring Bradshaw and giving the visitors a 5-4 lead. Zach Howard’s single made it 6-4.

Troy Naab took the mound for the Eagles in the 10th, running into trouble immediately. After walking Capra, he walked Sinzenich one out later. After Catanza flied out, Trent Masih plated Capra with a single.

With Sinzenich at second, Jenks had a chance to tie things up, but he struck out looking, ending the game. The Panthers had 11 hits in game two, but needed 12 to keep the game going. McKown, Neal and Orchard each had two hits for Florida Tech.

For more info: Embry-Riddle @ Florida Tech Box Score (Game 2)

The Panthers return to Sunshine State Conference play next Friday, when they travel to Saint Leo. First pitch is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. The series wraps up with a doubleheader on Saturday, starting at 1:00 p.m.   


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