AUBURNDALE, Fla. (Softball) - Florida Tech (23-22, SSC 8-10) missed the sweep over Florida Southern (14-21, SSC 5-13), as the Panthers claimed Game 2, 3-2 but dropped Game 3, 10-2.

Senior Hailey Leonard led the Panthers firepower at the plate, ending the day with a 4-for-6 performance. The FIT first baseman recorded her sixth seasonal home run in Game 3. Junior Krista Patterson had a strong outing in the series doubleheader, as the Californian infielder drove in two RBI on three hits.

In the circle, Rachel Pence (16-14) and Amanda Khan combined to top Game 2 for the Panthers. Khan started the game allotting two runs on six hits in 4.1 innings pitched. Closing the outing, Pence flawlessly maintained the Mocs, as she struck out five and allowed no hits for her 16th seasonal win. 

Starting Game 2, both teams were unable to place themselves on the scoreboard for four straight innings. The Crimson and Gray opened up the score in the fifth, snatching one run on a wild pitch. Eventually, the Mocs came back in the home half and took the lead over FIT, 2-1.

Florida Tech kept its spark alive in the sixth, as they overlapped Florida Southern by grabbing two more runs. The inning opened up with Katie Maiello reaching first on a walk. The freshman was then pushed to second by Alexus Smith's single behind the shortstop. With two outs on the board, Krista Patterson batted in the two winning runs for FIT with a single up the middle.

Florida Tech kept its guard up for the remainder of the game, restraining the Mocs' bats and clinching its eight SSC win, 3-2.

In Game 3, Florida Southern drew first blood, as the home team picked up two runs in the bottom of the first. After a blank second inning frame, the Mocs reached the scoreboard again in the third, as they snatched four more runs and overlapped the Panthers, 4-0.

The Florida Southern line-up struck again in the bottom of the fourth and enlarged its lead by four more runs. The Panthers entered the fifth battling for a comeback, as Audrey Gangloff placed FIT on base with a single to center field. Up at the plate, Karina Suicava followed up by pushing Gangloff to third with a single to right center, but the outfielder was tagged out at third base.

With one out and a runner in scoring position, Leonard blasted a two-run homer behind the left center fence, putting the Panthers on the board and closing the gap, 10-2. However, the hot streak for the Panthers was obstructed by the Mocs defense, and eventually the Crimson and Gray fell to the SSC rival, 10-2.

Florida Tech will be back at Nancy Bottge Field on Apr. 13 to kick off the SSC series against Eckerd College. The series will also crown Senior Day to salute the 2017 senior class. Dugouts will line up at 3 p.m. ET. Fans can access live coverage of the event at FloridaTechSports.com.