MELBOURNE, Fla. (Softball) - Florida Tech (25-23, SSC 10-11) could not honor better its veterans on Senior Day, as the Panthers crowned the last home game for the 2017 season with a double win over the Tritons. The seniors have been protagonists during both games, applying their battle-scarred experiences to help clinch vital plays in multiple frames, which led the momentum for FIT.

The Crimson and Gray line-up enacted an overwhelming "slug-fest", as the Panthers blasted five home runs in two games. Senior Krista Patterson joined by Alexus Smith and Makayla Palmer collected one home run each. Vanessa Rubio was out of control, as the freshman shot a solo home run, in addition to the mercy-rule home run that pushed three runners home during Game 1.

Game 1 saw Florida Tech as chief for the whole game, keeping their lead at length to top the Tritons in five innings. FIT broke through the score in majestic fashion in the second, with Patterson and Rubio combining for back-to-back home runs, and Smith following up with a three-RBI double. In one offensive frame, the Panthers grabbed six runs on five hits and overlapped the Tritons, 6-0. 

However, Eckerd cut the lead in half during the fourth, as the St. Petersburg based line-up closed the gap, 6-3. In the home half, Patterson and Palmer's joint power brought three more runs on the scoreboard for Florida Tech and bumped the margin, 9-3. Entering the fifth with an overpowering lead, the Panthers exploded again, first with a Palmer RBI double and next with Rubio's 3-runs dinger, which closed the game for FIT by mercy-rule, 13-3.

After their loss, the Tritons set the pace for Game 2 by drawing first blood with one run in the very first at bat. As second and third went blank for both sides, the Crimson and Gray battled back in the fourth. Smith brought the Panthers on base with a single through the left side, while Palmer stepped to the plate and blazed her first seasonal home run to allot FIT with the go-ahead run.

The fifth inning was a quick 1-2-3 frame for both teams, but the Panthers bats struck again in the sixth, fastening their eleventh conference win. Senior Hailey Leonard stepped to the plate for her final at bat at Nancy Bottge Field, and ended it with a single up the middle. Sarah Hayes then stepped into the box for one last time at home as well, and drove a RBI double to left center. Smith closed the day blasting a two-run homerun and increased the FIT lead, 5-1.

Rachel Pence (17-14) saluted her teammates and fans from the FIT mound, sealing the "W" for the Panthers with 1-2-3 strikeout. The senior out of Jacksonville had a flawless outing and earned her final personal win in the home circle, striking-out seven, while only allotting two hits with no runs in seven complete innings pitched.

"It was a great day to celebrate our seniors" head coach Val Silvestrini said. "They have all had great careers at Florida Tech and each of them got at least one hit in the day. Rachel had an outstanding day in the circle, not allowing any earned runs. We are very grateful to have coached this group in the last 2 to 4 years".

The 2017 senior class had a memorable career at Florida Tech, with all seniors receiving awards throughout their years of attendance at FIT. Buchholz served the Panthers for two years recording 36 total hits, while Suicava governed almost impeccably the second base spot in her two years as a Panther.

Patterson left a mark in the FIT record book, as she is currently tied for eighth in home runs and ranked sixth in walks. Audrey Gangloff spent four full years at Florida Tech, where she led her team in the first Florida Tech's post-season appearance. Starting in 2014 with Gangloff, Hayes contributed to the Panthers success as well, highlighting her go-ahead home run against Eckerd last year.

Since her very first appearance in the circle, Pence has mastered the pitching position, clinching her best career record in 2016 with 229 strikeouts during 33 games played, while yielding a 1.68 ERA. Although ending her first year with four at bats, Leonard became one of the top strengths in the box for FIT, as she currently stands 2nd in all-time career home runs in the Florida Tech record archives.

Today, Florida Tech softball says goodbye to seven incredible individuals of its team, but the future of the program is bright, as the senior class of 2017 leaves behind solid values and fruitful soil for incoming players.

Thank you 2017 Senior Class!

The Panthers will end the 2017 season next week on the road for the final SSC series against Lynn. The first game will be on Friday, Apr. 21 where dugouts will line up at 3 p.m. ET. Fans can follow the live coverage of the event at FloridaTechSports.com!