Panthers Sweep Nova in Softball Doubleheader

Karina Suicava - Photo credit: James Ragan Photography

The Florida Tech softball team got off to a good start on Saturday, beating Nova Southeastern 10-2 in game one of a doubleheader. The game was called in the fifth inning, due to the eight-run rule. They completed the sweep in game two, with a 4-1 win. Krista Patterson drilled a three-run home run in the fifth inning.

The Sharks, who won Friday’s series opener 2-0, got off to a good start in this one. Dana Edmundson hit her second leadoff home run in as many days, against Panthers starter Rachel Pence. Florida Tech got that run back on a fielder’s choice by Makayla Palmer, allowing Alexus Smith to score. Smith singled to start the inning.

Edmundson got to Pence again, leading off the third, with another solo home run. It was her second of the day and third of the series. Thankfully for the Panthers all her damage was done with nobody on base in front of her. That made it 2-1.

That lead didn’t last long, as Florida Tech plated seven runs against Sharks starter Erica Winter in the bottom of the frame. Karina Suicava, who went 3-for-3 in the game led off with a single. Patterson reached on a bobbled ball at first. The right fielder followed with a throwing error, allowing Suicava to score.

Hailey Leonard followed with an innocent looking grounder, that should’ve probably been a double play, especially since the Panthers were caught with runners between bases and almost had two runners at third at the same time. Instead, Smith came home and everyone else was safe. The Panthers led 3-2.

Palmer then hit a two-run single, making it 5-2. One out later, after Julianna Goldberg walked, she was lifted for pinch-runner Rachel Kraak, who promptly stole second.  That stolen base would be key, because Buchholz would lay down a bunt and Palmer beat the throw home, making it 6-2. Suicava would cap the scoring with a two-run single.

When all was said, and done, the Panthers sent 11 batters to the plate and had four hits. They were helped by three Nova errors in the inning.

Florida Tech added a run in the fourth. Leonard roped a one-out triple to right field. She would later score on a passed ball, despite the fact that the ball did not go far from the plate. Her heads-up baserunning made it 9-2.

Amanda Kahn took over for Pence to start the fifth and retired all three batters she faced on ground outs. Pence gave up seven hits in her four innings of work, allowing two earned runs. She struck out four and did not walk a batter.

Florida Tech’s final run came in the fifth inning. Kaitlin Buchholz doubled with one out and came home one out later on a Suicava RBI single. That made it 10-2 and triggered softball’s eight-run rule.

For more info: Nova Southeastern @ Florida Tech Box Score (Game 1)

It took no time at all for the Sharks (20-19) to strike in the second game. Amazingly, after fouling a couple pitches off from Pence, Edmundson hit her third leadoff home run of the series and third homer of the day.

That lead held until the fourth inning, when the Panthers tied things up against Nova starter Lexie Storrer. Palmer led off with a single and Vanessa Rubio dropped down a sac bunt. The throw went to second, but pulled the fielder off the bag. Both runners were safe. Katie Maiello was brought in to pinch run for Palmer. Goldberg laid down a bunt of her own and moved Maiello to third. Rubio was out at second.

Rachel Kraak entered as a pinch runner for Goldberg and promptly stole second. Buchholz followed with a sacrifice bunt back to the mound, but the throw home was late and Maiello tied the game. 

Audrey Gangloff kept the parade of bunts going, as she laid down another one. Buchholz tried to come home and was out at the plate and with Gangloff going to second. Kraak tried to score in all the confusion, but she was thrown out at the plate.

That could’ve been a big inning for the Panthers, but they kind if ran themselves into a couple of outs. That said, it is hard to blame the Panthers for trying to steal a couple runs, considering the Sharks struggled for much of the day in the field.

Krista Patterson - James Ragan Photography

In the end, it didn’t matter, as the Panthers took advantage of their opportunity in the fifth inning. Suicava doubled to start the inning and Smith reached on an error. That brought Patterson to the plate and she hit a no-doubter down the line in left, putting the home team up, 4-1.

Pence (14-11) sent Nova Southeastern down in order in the sixth and seventh, allowing that lead to stand and giving the Panthers a conference series win. She went the distance, allowing one run on four hits, while striking out three and walking one.

For more info: Nova Southeastern @ Florida Tech Box Score (Game 2)

The Panthers (21-18, 6-6 SSC) are right back at it Tuesday, when they host conference foe Saint Leo. First pitch is set for 3:00 p.m.

The series wraps up Wednesday, with a doubleheader, beginning at 1:00 p.m.

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