DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - Florida Tech traveled to Daytona Beach to take on Valdosta State in its first of three regional matchups this weekend. A tremendous start from RHP Mitch Harding was not enough for the Panthers to get the win as the Blazers rallied for three runs in the ninth inning to take home the win.  

INSIDE THE MATCHUP: 
Final:  Florida Tech 2, Valdosta State 4 
Records:  Florida Tech (2-3, 0-0 SSC) | (Valdosta State 3-1,0-0 GSC) 
Location: Sliwa Stadium | Daytona Beach, Fla. 

STATS OF GAME: 

• To end the fourth inning, Austin Sewell made a great web gem by catching a foul ball while flipping over the bullpen wall.  
• Brett Kelly reached second base in the fifth inning, but the Panthers could not convert with a runner in scoring position.  
• Florida Tech opened the scoring in the sixth inning on an RBI single from Sam Schner to right field that scored Gabe Garrett who singled and stole second base. 
• The Panthers threatened to tack on more runs in the sixth with runners on first and third, but a pop-out ended the inning. 
• Valdosta State recorded its first two hits off Harding in the sixth inning, including an RBI single from Nick Gonzalez that tied the game at one. 
• Harding threw six innings allowing one earned run on two hits with four strikeouts. 
• The Blazers loaded the bases in the seventh inning with two outs, but RHP Ridge Skarbek got a strikeout on three pitches to keep the game tied.  
• With the bases loaded in the eighth inning, an infield single from Alec Eldridge off the pitcher's leg that scored Garrett gave Tech a 2-1 advantage.  
• A bloop single in the ninth inning from Jacob Harper tied the game for Valdosta State. 
• The next batter, Bryson Gandy ended the game with a walk-off two-run home run to right field. 
• Florida Tech finished with seven hits while Eldridge and Hansen each had two base knocks to lead the team. 
• J.J. Finn, who recorded just one out, picked up the win for the Blazers while RHP Ethan Stephens took the loss for the Panthers.  

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE: 

• The Panthers move to 9-12-1 all-time against Valdosta State. 

UP NEXT: Florida Tech returns to action tomorrow Feb. 11 for a regional matchup with Auburn Montgomery in Daytona Beach. First pitch is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. 
 

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