DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – The Florida Tech baseball team traveled to Daytona Beach and took game one of the weekend Sunshine State Conference (SSC) series over Embry-Riddle behind seven shutout innings from junior left-handed pitcher Josh Beck.
 
INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Final: Florida Tech 3, Embry-Riddle 2
Records: Florida Tech (13-17, 6-7 SSC), Embry-Riddle (15-11, 4-6 SSC)
Location: Sliwa Stadium | Daytona Beach, Fla.
 
STATS OF THE GAME:

• After a scoreless first inning, Tech struck first in the top of the second with an RBI single from Tate Hansen.
• Two batters later, Gabe Garrett sent a shot down the left field line for a double that plated two more Panthers to make it a 3-0 game.
• Josh Beck gave up a single to start the bottom of the second but locked in and retired the next six Eagles in a row to keep the game at 3-0 heading into the fourth.
• Embry-Riddle led off the bottom of the fourth with a double, a walk, and a bunt single to load the bases with no outs. Beck came up huge for the Panthers and retired the next three eagles via strikeout to escape the jam and preserve the shutout bid.
• The Panthers looked to add to the lead in the top of the seventh. Camden Colman led off with a single and then a walk issued to Garrett put runners on first and second with no outs.
• A pitching change for Embry-Riddle led to the next three Panthers being retired with a fielder's choice and two flyouts to end the inning.
• Tech threatened again in the top of the eight with the bases loaded and two outs. The Eagles would be able to get a strikeout to end the inning and evade the jam.
• Embry-Riddle struck back in the bottom of the eighth. With the bases loaded and two outs, a single into centerfield brought around two Eagles to cut the Panthers' lead down to 3-2.
• Tyler Vermillion took the mound in the bottom of the ninth and recorded the save to secure the 3-2 win.

 
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE:

• Florida Tech moves to 23-22 all-time against Embry-Riddle, including a 10-13 record on the road in Daytona Beach.
• Josh Beck earned the win on the bump after he tossed seven shutout innings, totaled seven strikeouts to just two walks, and allowed just four hits.
• Jason Blackstone has reached base safely in 23 straight games played.
• Carlos Guzman is now on a 10-game hitting streak and has reached base safely in 17 out of 19 games played this season.
• Brett Kelly is now on a five-game hitting streak and has reached base safely in all 18 games he has played this season.

 
UP NEXT: The Panthers will conclude the conference series with a doubleheader against the Eagles tomorrow Saturday, March 30. First pitch for game one is scheduled for 1 p.m. in Daytona Beach, Fla.
 
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