CLINTON, Miss. (Baseball) – Florida Tech finished up its series with Mississippi College on Saturday by earning a split in the doubleheader. The Panthers routed the Choctaws 11-2 in the first contest before falling 9-4 in the nightcap at Friers Field in Clinton, Mississippi.

Tyler Deel (1-0) posted a strong outing for the Crimson and Gray, striking out seven Choctaws while surrendering just four hits over seven innings. The only Panther relief pitcher to make an appearance was Grant Willcoxon, who threw the final two innings. Willcoxon gave up two hits, two runs, walked two and struck out one.

The Panthers scored the first 11 runs in the first game of the day before allowing MC to add a pair of scores in the bottom of the ninth. David Wilson lit up the Choctaw pitching staff in the first game, going 2-for-5 with a homerun, four RBIs, and a run. James Gronberg went 1-for-4 with three RBIs and a walk, while Nick Capra went 1-for-3 with two RBIs and two walks.

In a complete role reversal the Choctaws jumped all over the Panthers in game two, scoring the first seven runs, all in the fourth inning off starter Rhett Willis (0-1).

Willis took the loss in the contest, pitching 3.2 innings and allowing six hits and six runs, while striking out three batters. Luke Lorah, Justin Barney and Sam Crocker all saw time in relief in the loss, combining for five strikeouts while giving up four hits and two runs.

Seven different Panthers registered hits against the Choctaws with Zac Orchard and John Sternagel posting two RBIs apiece in the sixth and ninth innings, respectively.

Florida Tech will now prepare for its home opening series against Lincoln Memorial next weekend on Friday and Saturday, Feb. 10-11. First pitch on Friday is set for 6 p.m. ET. Fans can access live coverage of the action at FloridaTechSports.com/live.