INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Game Final: Florida Tech 6, #7 Nova Southeastern 3
Records: Florida Tech (21-6, 6-4 SSC) | Nova Southeastern (18-4, 3-4 SSC)
Location: Andy Seminick-Les Hall Field | Melbourne, Fla.
STATS OF GAME:
- Making his third start of the season and second appearance of the week, Joey Hecht turned in the best outing of his Florida Tech career. The senior left-hander from Dayton, Ohio took a no-hitter into the seventh inning before surrendering a leadoff single to center by Adam Frank.
- Florida Tech took an early lead thanks to a Brett Parrish RBI single in the first inning and a Sam Schner RBI infield single in the second.
- Hayden Kimball added to the lead in the fourth with a two-out RBI single to left that scored Alec Eldridge.
- Tech would cap the scoring in the fifth with a two-run double down the left field line by Jakob Newton, who would be driven in two batters later by a Dylan Owens RBI single to center.
- The Sharks got on the board in the seventh when Adan Fernandez followed Frank's single with a two-run homer to left.
- Hecht's night came to close one batter later as Danny Vassallo would toss the final two and two-thirds innings to seal the win. The sophomore right-hander struck out four and allowed only a two-out solo home run in the ninth inning.
- Hecht allowed two runs on just the two hits over six and one-thirds innings pitched. He struck out five against just two walks, both of which came in the first inning. He retired 17 consecutive batters between the first and sixth innings.
- Every Tech starter recorded a hit, 13 in total, with the charge being led by two-hit games for Newton, Parrish, Schner and Dylan Dohanos.
- Alec Eldridge stole his 12th base of the season, a category that he remains perfect in for the season.
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE:
- The Panthers now lead the all-time series 28-25.
- Newton's first inning single extended his on-base streak to 26 consecutive games. The only game this season in which he did not reach base was on Opening Night.
- This was Tech's first victory over a ranked team since defeating #4 Tampa, 3-2, on February 29, 2020.
UP NEXT: The two teams will continue the series on Saturday at 1:30 P.M.
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