Late Outburst Sends Florida Tech to Victory Over Rollins

Nick Capra - Photo credit: James Ragan Photography

The Florida Tech Panthers (26-16, 10-6 SSC) earned an important victory over Rollins Wednesday night, in the opening game of a three-game series. Andy Marzheuser pitched eight shutout innings, leading the Panthers to a 5-1 Sunshine State Conference victory.

It was quite a pitcher’s duel between Marzheuser and Brad Case for six innings, but the Panthers offense, which was held to two hits for much of the night, finally broke through in the seventh inning. 

Dan Szpik got things going with a one out double off the left field wall and Nick Capra plated him with an RBI single. David Wilson flew out, but it was deep enough to move Capra to third and that would be key, because he would score on a wild pitch, giving the Panthers a 2-0 lead.

Case would leave after seven strong innings, allowing two runs on four hits. He struck out 10 and walked only one.  Whit Drennan replaced him on the mound and the Panthers offense went right to work.

Vincenzo Catanza who had struck out twice against Case, greeted Drennan with a double. A wild pitch got him to third and after Trent Masih walked, he took second on a passed ball and Catanza scored, giving the Panthers a 3-0 lead. A Reid Neal sacrifice fly and a John Sternagel single gave the Panthers a comfortable 5-0 lead.

Marzheuser (6-2) was done after eight and although he allowed eight hits, he did strike out nine and did not walk a batter. Colin Cristello took over in the ninth and allowed a solo homer to Mike Dolan, cutting the lead to 5-1. That was all the Tars would muster in this one.

For more info: Rollins @ Florida Tech Box Score

Szpik was the only Panther with two hits, finishing 2-for-4. Christopher Corbett went 3-for-4 in a losing cause.

Rollins (23-16, 7-9 SSC) will look to even the series on Thursday when these two teams meet again on the campus of Florida Tech. First pitch is scheduled for 3:00 p.m.

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