Softball Splits with No. 24 Wilmington in Thrilling Doubleheader
 
MELBOURNE, FLA.- Florida Tech softball took game one over No. 24 Wilmington 5-2, before falling 8-4 to the Wildcats in Game two on Wednesday night. 
 
INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Final: Florida Tech 5, No.24 Wilmington 2
Records: Florida Tech (9-10, 1-5 SSC) | Wilmington (Del.) (6-5, 0-0 CACC)
Location: Nancy Bottge Field | Melbourne, Fla.   

STATS OF THE GAME:

• Jolie Miracle hit her fifth double of the season to get the Panthers going in the second inning.
• Mya Ogbodiewgu reached on an error by the Wildcats shortstop. With two runners on and two outs, Layna Pollock singled to shortstop and brought home Miracle from second base.
• Back-to-back singles from Ella Niles and Cheyenne Nelson put two runners on with no outs in the 3^rd inning. Mikayla Lewin's 2-run double scored Niles and Nelson to give the Panthers a 3-0 lead.
• The Wildcats came storming back in the top of the 4^th inning. A bases loaded walk and a sacrifice fly scored two runs for Wilmington.  
• Ogbodiewgu reached on a fielder's choice in the 6^th inning. Miranda Schwartz blasted a 2- run homer right over the center field wall to give Tech a 5-3 lead heading into the top of the 7^th.
• The Wildcats were able to get one runner on base, but the Panthers defense secured the win.
• Allison Platon entered the game in the top of the 4^th for Alex Hendrian. Platon picked up her third win in the circle. She threw four innings allowing four hits and no runs.

 
 
GAME TWO:
Final: Florida Tech 4, No. 24 Wilmington 8
Records: Florida Tech (9-11, 1-5 SSC) | Wilmington (Del.) (7-5, 0-0 CACC)

STATS OF THE GAME:

• The Wildcats threatened to score a run in the 1^st inning, but the Panthers were able to get out the jam and Wilmington stranded three runners.
• In the top of the 3^rd, the Wildcats scored one run on two hits to take the lead.
• The Panthers tied things up with a single from Miracle that scored Niles from second base in the bottom of the 3^rd.
• Hendrian would come in to pitch for Samantha Guider in the top of the 4^th inning.
• With runners on first and second, a single up the middle by the Wildcats scored two runs to give Wilmington a 3-1 lead in the top of the 5^th.
• A wild pitch from Hendrian scored another run. The Wildcats would score one more run in the 5^th inning to take a 5-1 lead.
• A three-run shot to center field by Cheyenne Nelson cut the deficit to just one run: 5-4.  
• In the top of the 6^th, Wilmington tacked on two more runs on two hits.
• Ogbodiewgu doubled in the 6^th, but the Panthers were unable to bring her home.
• The Wildcats would tack on one more run in the 7^th to secure the win.
• Hendrian suffered the loss in the circle allowing four runs, two hits, and three walks.

 
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE:

• The Panthers are 7-1 against Wilmington in the all-time series.  
• Miranda Schwartz hit her first career home run.
• Cheyenne Nelson hit her first home run of the season and the fifth of her career.
• Nelson went 3-7 at the plate with 3RBI's, one homerun, a stolen base, and two runs.
• Ella Niles was 3-7 at the plate with a walk, three runs, and three stolen bases.
• Mikayla Lewin went 2-6 with 2RBI's.

 
UP NEXT: Florida Tech will face Saint Leo in a three-game series this weekend. First game is on Friday, Mar. 3. at 6pm. 
 
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