BOCA RATON, Fla. (Softball) - Florida Tech (26-25, SSC 11-13) wrapped up the 2017 season after grinding out a though series against the Lynn Fighting Knights, eventually dropping the doubleheader, 9-2 and 2-0.
On the day, FIT recorded eight hits, two doubles and one home run. Contributing efforts went to
Hailey Leonard and
Audrey Gangloff, who both collected two hits apiece, while
Makayla Palmer brought home her second and last home run for the 2017 season. Defensively, the Panthers clawed 36 put outs.
During the first game, Lynn broke through the score first, posting four runs on the scoreboard during the home half of the second inning. In the fourth, the Panthers decreased the margin by snatching one run on a Knights troubled play, as Palmer crossed home safe on an error by Lynn's first baseman.
At the fifth, the home team enlarged its stretch when the Knights put themselves on the board again, leaving FIT behind, 6-1. The Crimson and Gray kept battling, and Palmer clawed another run for Florida Tech in the sixth, blasting a solo bomb behind the left field fence.
In addition, the Knights eventually answered back in their offensive frame, grabbing three more runs. With much effort from the Panthers dugout, the offense continued to struggle, as Florida Tech dropped to Lynn, 9-2.
The last game of the series saw both teams racing head-to-head, as the Knights and the Panthers hustled to reach base and drive in runs.
Lynn drew first blood in the second, overlapping the Crimson and Gray, 1-0. After a blank third inning, the Fighting Knights reached the scoreboard in the fourth once more, placing another run ahead of the Panthers.
Defensively,
Rachel Pence and the Panthers field managed to contain the Lynn lineup, smearing its offensive efforts for the remainder of the game, but could not get their own bats going in the latter innings to take the victory.
Now, Florida Tech focuses towards next season where they look to rebuild the team after losing seven outstanding seniors from the 2017 class. For more information, please visit FloridaTechSports.com
