Tritons Prevail, as Panthers Rally Falls Short

Makayla Palmer - Photo credit: James Ragan Photography
Florida Tech battled back from a couple early deficits on Thursday, but couldn’t push the tying run across, as Eckerd hung on for a 9-8 victory in game one of the Panthers final home series of the season.

Florida Tech starter Rachel Pence got out of a little bit of trouble in the first and came back to strike out two batters in the second inning, before running into trouble in the third. An RBI single by Chelsea Armstrong made it 1-0 and two batters later, Carrie Shere took Pence deep, giving the visitors a 4-0 lead.

The Panthers (23-23, 8-11 SSC) got back into the game in the bottom of the fourth, scoring three runs against Tritons starter Nikole Van Gennep. Makayla Palmer started the inning with a single and went to second on a single by Vanessa Rubio. Julianna Goldberg’s double plated Palmer, making it 4-1. A single by Karina Suicava brought Rubio in, cutting the lead to 4-2 and a steal of second by Suicava drew a throw and allowed Goldberg to score the third run.

It didn’t take long for Eckerd to widen their lead again. After Crystal Garcia singled, Rachael Luckett hit a two-run homer, making it 6-3. Two more hits and an error on Pence on a ball hit back to the mound, loaded the bases. An RBI single by Kiley King made it 7-3.

That was the end of the day for Pence, who was replaced by McKenzie Krutsinger. Kaleigh Floyd greeted her with a high chopper that went over Suicava’s glove and scored two, giving the Tritons a 9-3 lead.

Pence (16-15) gave up nine runs (eight earned) in her 4.1 innings of work. She did not walk a batter and struck out six, throwing 87 pitches.

To the Panthers credit, they were far from done, despite staring at a six-run deficit. In the bottom of the sixth, Florida Tech came up with five runs of their own. Goldberg singled and Kaitlin Buchholz drew a walk and Suicava was hit by a pitch, loading the bases. That prompted a pitching change, as Janna Gaburo moved into the circle.

Hailey Leonard roped a two-run single to left, making it 9-5. After Katie Maiello walked on a 3-2 pitch, loading the bases, Sarah Hayes came up with a two-run single of her own, cutting the deficit to 9-7. A single by Palmer got the Panthers to within a run, but Gaburo battled back to retire the next three batters, ending the inning with two runners stranded.

The Panthers had their chances in the bottom of the seventh, needing only one run to tie. Amanda Kahn came in as a pinch-hitter and drew a walk. Suicava’s grounder got her to second, and Leonard’s single put runners at the corners, with one out. Leonard stole second and Maiello earned a walk, loading the bases.

Gaburo got Hayes to pop up and Palmer hit a bouncer to second, ending the game. Palmer ended the day 2-for-4 with a run scored, but in the end, she needed that third hit to extend the game.
Leonard (2-for-3, 2 RBIs) and Goldberg (2-for-3, 1 RBI) were the other Panthers with a multi-hit game. Florida Tech had 11 hits on the day, while the Tritons finished with 12.

For more info: Eckerd @ Florida Tech Box Score

The Panthers wrap up their home schedule on Friday, with a doubleheader against the Tritons. Game one is scheduled for 1:00 p.m., with Senior Day festivities happening between games.



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