AUBURNDALE, Fla. (Softball) - FIT (22-21, SSC 7-9) motored past Florida Southern on Friday afternoon, grabbing its seventh conference win of the 2017 season.

The Crimson and Gray clawed three runs on five hits. Freshman Katie Maiello shined at the plate, as she ended the night with a 3-for-4 performance. Makayla Palmer and Vanessa Rubio grabbed one hit apiece. Palmer recorded her sixth seasonal double, which brought in two runs for FIT in the win over Florida Southern.

In the circle, Rachel Pence (15-13) sealed her 15th seasonal win over seven complete innings pitched. Pence struck-out nine and allotted one run on four hits. The Jacksonville pitcher also mastered 1-2-3 frames in the first, second and seventh inning.

The two dugouts started the game with two consecutive bare frames in the first and second, however, the Panthers broke through the score in the third. Junior shortstop, Krista Patterson, was allotted with a free base that moved her fellow teammates through the bases, allowing Hailey Leonard to cross home.

The Mocs eventually responded back in the offensive home half and tied the game up, 1-1.The fourth inning went scoreless for both teams, but the Panthers enlarged their lead in the fifth, as they tacked two more runs on the board.

Leonard opened up the inning reaching base on a hit by pitch and was later pushed to third by Maiello. Palmer then entered the box and flared a two RBI double down the right field line. 

With a 3-1 lead, the Panthers blanked any chance of comeback for the Mocs, as Pence froze the rivals' bats for the three remaining innings. 

Florida Tech looks take over the series doubleheader tomorrow, starting with Game 2 at 1 p.m. ET. Fans can access live coverage of the games at FloridaTechSports.com!