MELBOURNE, Fla. (Softball) - After an unexpected first day of rain that eventually pushed back Game 1 to an earlier start the following day, the Panthers (21-20, SSC 6-8) could not cap the series doubleheader against No. 5 Saint Leo (33-7, SSC 14-3) on Wednesday afternoon at Nancy Bottge Field.

The Panthers collected eight hits on the day from six different players. Karina Suicava and Makayla Palmer recorded two hits apiece, while junior Krista Patterson slugged her second seasonal home run.

In Game 1, the Lions opened up the score in the second and placed one run on the scoreboard. In the following inning, the SLU hot streak as they generated seven more runs before the end of the inning. Striking back during the Panthers home offensive half, Krista Patterson led the fight, blasting a solo home run behind the right field fence and closing the Crimson and Gray gap, 8-1 in the fourth.

As the fifth went by blank for both line-ups, Saint Leo grabbed three more runs in the sixth. However, clawing back, Florida Tech punched in two more run off a single by Kaitlin Buchholz. Although Audrey Gangloff pushed her fellow teammate to third with a single down the left field line, the Panthers could not bring any runners in, and eventually fell to the Lions, 11-3.

Game 2 saw No. 5 Saint Leo break through the score first once again, as they grabbed one run in the top of the first. The Lions next snatched three more runs in the second, increasing their lead on the Panthers, 4-0.

In the bottom of the third, Suicava flared her second single of the day, placing the Panthers on base. The second baseman was then caught stealing by the SLU catcher, closing the FIT offensive frame scoreless. In the fifth, Saint Leo bumped up its margin by three more runs, overlapping Florida Tech, 7-0.

After a blank sixth inning for both teams, the Panthers sparked up their fight in the final inning of the game. Alexus Smith led the Crimson and Gray by driving a single through the left side. Patterson then reached base on a fielder's choice while Smith was forced out at second. With two outs on the board, Makayla Palmer pushed the FIT shortstop to scoring position with a single to left field, but both runners were left motionless on base.

Although another tough battle, Florida Tech closed the game with a loss to SLU, 7-0.

The Panthers will conclude the SSC series against No. 5 Saint Leo tomorrow afternoon for a start time of 12 p.m. ET at Nancy Bottge Field. For more, please visit FloridaTechSports.com!