VIERA, Fla. - Florida Tech softball got back to action as they welcomed 10 teams from up and down the East Coast and one from Texas to Viera and the USSSA Space Coast Complex for the second annual Florida Tech Invitational. The team is still hunting for its first win as they fall to West Georgia, 1-9 and No. 16 Alabama Huntsville, 2-3.
Ashley Campbell (2-3), Tina Velazquez Rolon (2-2) and Jaden Kline (2-6) all registered multiple hits. While, Mikayla Wessel, Peyton Anders and Campbell recorded runs and Velazquez Rolon had the only RBI of the day.
Raychel Trocki, Jordan Lawlis and Velazquez Rolon all put in time in the circle. Velazquez Rolon saw the most action as she pitched seven innings and surrendered seven hits and three runs, all earned. She also struck out five batters.
Trocki recorded 2.1 innings and allowed six hits and six runs, none earned. Lawlis pitched the final 3.2 innings of the first game and gave up four hits and three runs, two earned.
Game one of the day pit the Panthers against the Wolves of West Georgia. Both teams began the game fast as each tallied a run in their half of the first inning. Sadly, Wessel's run was the only one of the game for the Crimson & Gray.
The game did not see another run until the third when the Wolves recorded five runs to make it a 1-6 contest. Florida Tech then allowed three more runs in the top of the sixth and this put the score at 1-9. The team tried to bring it back within the run-rule limit but could not manage a run and loss, 1-9, in six innings.
The second game of the day had Florida Tech go up against Alabama Huntsville. UAH came out fast as they scored one run in the top half of both the first and second inning. Tech cut the lead in half in the bottom of the second as Velazquez doubled to left field and gave Campbell enough time to cross the plate.
Huntsville recorded another run in the fourth and Florida Tech answered in the fifth as a UAH throwing error powered Anders over the bag. However, the pitchers took over and shut it down as the score remained, 2-3, until the end.
Tech will be back for Day Two of the Florida Tech Invitational Saturday, Feb. 8, as the women will take on Angelo State at 2:30 p.m. and No. 4 West Florida at 5 p.m. ET.
For the latest news, updates and information on the Florida Tech softball team, visit FloridaTechSports.com. Fans can also stay up to date on the latest Panthers news by following Florida Tech Athletics on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
