HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (Softball) - In a game dominated by pitchers that came down to the very final out, Florida Tech (11-12) scored two runs in the top of the sixth to defeat the University of Alabama-Huntsville (17-5) by a score of 2-1 on Tuesday afternoon in its twenty third match of the season

Rachel Pence (8-7) dominated the mound with mastery by clinching the win for the Panthers. Pence finished the game with seven complete innings pitched, giving up only one run on four hits with no walks and two strikeouts.

Downing the Chargers lineup, Pence held UAH to five scoreless innings throughout the game. The FIT pitcher allotted her defense with 21 put outs, while limiting the Chargers' batting average to a mere .148.

Offensively, first-baseman Hailey Leonard went 1-for-3 at the plate with a one RBI triple that enlarged her personal slugging average to .397. Fellow teammate Makayla Palmer ended the day going 1-for-3, driving home the winning RBI for the Panthers.

Currently, Florida Tech holds a cumulative batting average of .240 with a slugging percentage of .325 and a total of 87 RBIs.

After four scoreless innings for both dugouts, FIT opened the top of the fifth with a single by left fielder Audrey Gangloff. 

Kaitlin Buchholz then proceeded with a sac bunt which allowed Gangloff to put herself in scoring position. However, despite the aggressive at bat by Karina Suicava and Alexus Smith, FIT left the offensive half with one runner left on base.

In the top of the sixth, Florida Tech sparked up the fight and struck first after a combined effort by the Panthers lineup. Krista Patterson reached first on an error by the Chargers second baseman, Leonard now at bat, with a 1-2 count, a flared triple to the deep right center was enough to drive her teammate home and snatch the first run for the Panthers.

Posting a runner on third, Palmer stepped into the box and pushed the second run in for FIT with a single through the left side to mark her 16 on the season.

During the UAH half, a single to center field cut the FIT lead 2-1. Trying desperately to score another run, Pence quickly closed the seventh inning with three ground outs and sealed the 2-1 victory for the Panthers.

Up next, the Panthers square off against Shorter University in a doubleheader at Alto Park Complex on Wednesday Mar. 8. The first pitch is set for 12 p.m. ET, for more coverage of the event please visit FloridaTechSports.com where you can access the live feeds.