MELBOURNE, Fla. – Florida Tech softball looked to extend its impressive win streak to 15 with the team's Sunshine State Conference home opener against Saint Leo. Unfortunately, it was not meant to be as the team lost a tough one, 4-2.
 
Melanie Murphy (6-3) was the Panthers only pitcher to take the mound. During her seven-inning appearance, she gave up four runs on nine hits. The hometown product also recorded four strikeouts.
 
Florida Tech drew first blood as a single by Jaden Kline scored Tina Velazquez Rolon in the bottom of the first inning.
 
Saint Leo struck back in the top of the third to tie it up 1-1. But their lead did not last long as an error of drove home a Tech run in the bottom half of the inning.
 
A home run by Saint Leo's Amanda James knotted it back up in the top of the fifth. The Panthers fell behind for the first time when the Lions had two women cross the plate in the top of the sixth which brought the score to 4-2.
 
The rest of the game was a pitcher's duel as neither team put up another run in the final inning and a half.
 
The Crimson and Gray will look to bounce back Saturday, March 2, with the doubleheader against the Lions. First pitch for game one is set to take place a noon ET at Nancy Bottge Field.
 
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