COLUMBUS, Ga. - On Friday night, Florida Tech (1-1) wrapped up the 2018 opening day with a split. In the first game of the Southern Softball Showdown, the Panthers downed No. 18 Valdosta State 4-1, but dropped to the Columbus State Cougars in the second game, 7-1.

In the circle, junior Melanie Murphy earned her first win as a Crimson and Gray. The Melbourne product collected 4 strikeouts among 26 batters faced, while allowing four hits and one run in the seven innings pitched.

Bringing the heat to the box, junior transfer Shanysse Emerenciana ended the Saturday outing with a 2-for-6 performance at the plate, driving home two RBIs on her first seasonal triple. Veteran catcher Makayla Palmer batted in one run to go 1-for-6 on the day, followed by sophomores Rachel Kraak and Vanessa Rubio, who recorded one RBI apiece. Missing a perfect score in Game 2, freshman Victoria Szrom went 2-for-3 in the evening outing.

In the match-up against No. 18 Valdosta, the Blazers broke through the score in their very first offensive frame to move past FIT, 1-0. However, Florida Tech roared back in the bottom of the first, when Palmer blasted a double to push home Melinda Rule for the tying run, 1-1.

With runners at first and second, Kraak delivered a single to right field to bring home Palmer, putting the Panthers ahead, 2-1. Stepping into the box with two outs and runners in scoring position, Shanysse blazed a triple down the center field line to increase the Crimson and Gray lead, 4-1.

From there, the game became a pitchers battle, as both lineups remained blank for the rest of the game. Pitching a complete game, Rule's outstanding performance sealed the victory for FIT with three quick outs, 4-1.

In Game 2, the Panthers fell behind 4-0 after a grand slam by the Cougars, which came in the second inning. However, in the third, an uncertainty by the Columbus defense filled the bases for Florida Tech, allowing a free base to Vanessa Rubio to close the deficit, to three. Unfortunately, the Cougars quickly ceased the Florida Tech offensive efforts, allotting the Melbourne lineup four hits and no runs to close the game, 7-1.

Tomorrow, the Panthers will return to the South Commons Softball Complex for the final day of the Southern Softball Showdown. FIT will first face Union University at 10 a.m. ET, and square up against the Georgia College Bobcats at 3 p.m. ET.

For live stats of the games, fans can access FloridaTechSports.com!