VALDOSTA, Ga. (Softball) - Florida Tech slashed No. 6 Valdosta State 11-2 in the first game of Tuesday's double header but a one run deficit fends off the Panthers in a close game two defeat on the road.
With the game one victory, FIT now owns victories over current ranked opponents, No. 21 Angelo State, No.
Offensive leaders for FIT were
Alexus Smith, who concluded the double header 4-for-8 in the box with three RBI's, followed by teammate
Vanessa Rubio, who ended the night with a 3-for-6 performance and collected three RBI's, one of which came off of her explosive homerun during game two.
It took two full innings in game one before the Panthers began to take offense shots at Valdosta State. Accumulating seven runs at the top of the third, FIT was able to put the game out of reach in a big way with an 11-2 win over the Blazers to take game one. As a team, Florida Tech produced four doubles out of 13 hits. Smith, a sophomore for FIT, finished the match with a 3-for-4 performance, brought home one and scored one. Senior second baseman
Karina Suicava went 3-for-3 with a run scored and two driven in. Fellow teammate
Audrey Gangloff went 2-for-2 at the plate with one RBI while Rubio recorded a 1-for-3 in the box and batted home two. Pitcher
Rachel Pence (7-3) earned the complete game win as she allowed only two runs on five hits.
During game two, with an open score off a one run homerun in the top of the first by Rubio, the FIT softball team was challenged by the Valdosta State Blazers in a back-to-back battle of scored runs within the seven innings.
A single by Smith at the top of the fifth reduced the Panthers deficit to 6-4, but the away side would only be able to plate five runs total consequently allotting the win to Valdosta State. Amanda Khan (3-1) recorded her first seasonal loss.
Up next, FIT heads to Vince Naimoli Softball Complex for a conference series match up against the Spartans of Tampa University. Over the past three years the Panthers have bested Tampa 7-2, they look to improve that record and sweep the series. Fans and spectators please visit FloridaTechSports.com for the latest news and details.
