Rubio Powers Florida Tech Past Eckerd in Game One

Vanessa Rubio - Photo credit: James Ragan Photography

The Florida Tech Panthers used two big innings to make quick work of the Eckerd Tritons on Friday in game one of a Senior Day doubleheader. Makayla Palmer went 3-for-4 at the dish, Vanessa Rubio hit two homers and Krista Patterson added one of her own in a 13-3 win over Eckerd at Nancy Bottge Field on Friday afternoon.

The Panthers jumped on Eckerd starter Grace Willeck for six runs in the bottom of the second inning. Palmer led off with a single and came home on Patterson’s two-run shot to center. Rubio went back-to-back, hitting her first of the day and giving the home team a 3-0 lead. Willeck continued to struggle, walking Kaitlin Buchholz, hitting Karina Suicava with a pitch and giving up a single to Hailey Leonard.

Willick was able to get Sarah Hayes on strikes, before giving way to Madison Saltzman with one out in the inning. The pitching change didn’t do much good, as Alexus Smith drilled a double to the gap in left center, clearing the bases and giving the Panthers a 6-0 lead.

When all was said and done the Panthers sent 10 batters to plate, scoring six runs on five hits in that second frame.

Meanwhile, Panthers starter Amanda Kahn kept the Tritons in check for the first three innings, allowing only one double in the first six batters she faced. She went on to retire nine of the first 10, before walking Rachael Luckett to start the fourth. A single by Chelsea Armstrong put two on and they came home on a double down the line off the bat of Nikole Van Gennep. An RBI single by Dana Paul later in the inning, cut the Panthers lead to 6-3.

Florida Tech got those runs back in the bottom of the inning. Leonard and Sarah Hayes were hit by a pitch to start the inning and after Katie Maiello drew a walk to load the bases, Palmer came up and smoked a two-run single to right-center. Patterson followed with an RBI single, upping the lead to 9-3.

Kahn just missed adding to the lead, as she was brought on to pinch hit and ripped a laser to third, that was snared by Armstrong, saving at least two runs. The Panthers left the bases loaded, as Saltzman retired the next two batters.
Amanda Kahn - Photo credit: James Ragan Photography

That just delayed the inevitable another inning, as the Panthers put this one away in the bottom of the fifth. Leonard beat out an infield hit to start the inning and Maiello drew a walk, one out later. Palmer followed with a double over the glove of the center fielder, making it 10-3 and Rubio ended the game one out later, as she blasted her second home run of the game over the left field wall, giving the Panthers the 13-3 victory.

For more info: Eckerd @ Florida Tech Box Score

Kahn (7-5) pitched four innings, allowing three runs on four hits. She walked one and struck out one, before handing the ball to McKenzie Krutsinger, who pitched the fifth inning, allowing only one hit.

“Amanda did a great job and gave us a chance to win it,” said Florida Tech coach Val Silvestrini. “Our bats came alive and we were able to get out in five innings, which is also nice.”

Following game one, the Panthers paid tribute to their seven seniors, Buchholz, Leonard, Hayes, Rachel Pence, Patterson, Suicava and Audrey Gangloff. Each player was accompanied by family members and their accomplishments during their time at Florida Tech were highlighted.

Pence was tasked with pitching game two of the doubleheader, following the Senior Day festivities. You can read that article here.



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