DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - Looking to go 2-1 for the weekend against competition from the Gulf South Conference, Florida Tech took on Valdosta State. The Panthers offense exploded for 14 runs and 17 hits in a blowout win over the Blazers.  

INSIDE THE MATCHUP: 
Final:  Florida Tech 14, Valdosta State 1 
Records:  Florida Tech (4-3, 0-0 SSC) | (Valdosta State 4-2,0-0 GSC) 
Location: Sliwa Stadium | Daytona Beach, Fla. 

STATS OF GAME: 

• In the first inning, Gabe Garrett led off with a walk and Jason Blackstone followed with a single to give Tech runners on first and second with no outs. However, the next three batters were retired in order which kept the game scoreless. 
• The Panthers got on the board in the third inning with an RBI sacrifice fly to foul territory in right field from Alec Eldridge that scored Garrett.  
• An RBI sacrifice fly from Jacob Harper to center field for Valdosta State tied the game at one in the fourth inning.  
• Hayden Kimball and Garrett had back-to-back RBI singles in the fourth inning to give Tech a 3-1 advantage.  
• The Panthers blew open the game in the fifth inning sending 13 batters to the plate and scoring six runs to take a 9-1 lead.  
• Sam Schner, Kimball, Eldridge, and Brett Parrish all had RBI hits in the fifth inning.  
• Florida Tech starting RHP Dylan Cleveland went six innings, giving up one earned run on five hits. The freshman picked up the win and had five strikeouts.  
• Eldridge picked up his fourth RBI of the game with an RBI single through the right side in the seventh inning to give his team a 10-1 advantage. 
• RBI doubles from Austin Sewell and Kimball plus a 2-RBI double from Schner extended Tech's lead to 14-1 in the seventh inning.  
• RHP Zach Rodgers came in to pitch the eighth for the Panthers and struck out one batter in a perfect inning.  
• Finishing the game on the bump for Tech was RHP Carter Cooke who also threw a 1-2-3 inning in relief.  
• Garrett led the Panthers with four hits while Schner and Kimball each had three hits.  
• RHP Jeremy Adams took the loss for the Blazers allowing three earned runs on six hits in 3.1 innings pitched.  

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE: 

• The Panthers move to 10-12-1 all-time against Valdosta State. 
• 17 hits are a season-high for Florida Tech and it is the second consecutive game the offense has had a season-high in base hits.  
• 14 runs are a season-high for Tech and the most since a 17-5 win over Lynn on March 22, 2022.  
• Four hits are a career-high for Garrett. 

UP NEXT: Florida Tech returns to action Tuesday, Feb. 14 for a home nonconference game with Flagler. First pitch from Andy Seminick-Les Hall Field is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. 
 

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