ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – Florida Tech softball offense exploded in a series sweep over Eckerd, winning both doubleheader games. The Panthers took the first game in five innings, 12-0, and the second game, 6-4. The offense compiled 19 hits, two home runs, and 18 total runs.
GAME ONE:
STATS OF THE GAME:
Final: Florida Tech 12, Eckerd 0
Records: Florida Tech (23-16, 12-11 SSC) | Eckerd (11-21, 5-12 SSC)
Location: Turley Athletic Complex| St. Petersburg, Fla.
STATS OF THE GAME:
- Eckerd bottled the Panthers offense to start, sitting down the first three batters.
- The Titans singled twice in the bottom of the first but would come up empty handed
- In the second inning, Florida Tech rolled off six runs, started by a solo shot from Mya Ogbodiewgu
- This was followed by a hit-by-pitch, a walk, and two singles to extend the Panther's lead to 2-0 and load the bases.
- Kelly McLaughlin continued her momentum from Friday, smashing a grand slam to left field. It marks the team's first grand slam of the season.
- The Panther scored three more runs in the next inning with one hit. Katie Hogue reached on an error, Ogbodiewgu walked, and Schwartz was hit by a pitch for the second time.
- Two outs followed, but before the Tritons could get out of it, Celeste Casillas doubled to right field, tallying three RBI.
- Alex Hendrian was nearly perfect for the rest of the game, giving up just one hit and striking out two.
- The Panthers scored three more times in the top of the fifth for good measure.
- Jillian Moeller led off the inning with a single, and then Dani Sigal walked to first base.
- Both runners advanced into scoring position with a fielder's choice. Jolie Miracle brought Moeller home by singling to center field.
- To wrap up the evening on offense, Hogue drilled a double to score the final two runs of the first game of the doubleheader.
GAME TWO:
STATS OF THE GAME:
Final: Florida Tech 6, Eckerd 4
Records: Florida Tech (24-16, 13-11 SSC) | Eckerd (11-22, 5-13 SSC)
Location: Turley Athletic Complex| St. Petersburg, Fla.
STATS OF THE GAME:
- The Panthers got off to another great start, scoring two runs in the first inning.
- Hogue began how she finished Game One with a double, helping score McLaughlin and move Miracle to third.
- Schwartz rewarded Hogue by hitting a ball past the shortstop, leading to a run.
- Eckerd led off the bottom of the first with a single; however, the next three batters got out.
- Both offenses cooled, putting up zero runs until the fourth inning. Ella Niles held the Tritons to no hits in the second and third innings.
- Despite no runs, Florida Tech grabbed a hit in the three innings, including a triple down the third base line in the fourth.
- The Tritons fought back, tying the game at 2-2 when Addison Langston doubled in the bottom of the fourth inning.
- Florida Tech immediately took back the lead in the next half-inning. Samantha Shortal singled, opening the door for Ogbodiewgu and Dawn Pawlak to come home.
- Mia Hernandez walked for Eckerd in the bottom of the fifth, but Miracle caught her stealing.
- Eckerd was able to get to Hendrian in the sixth, getting the first three batters on base. The Tritons tied the score again with a hit-by-pitch and a sac fly to center field.
- The Panthers responded quickly as Ogbodiewgu singled to lead off. Shortal and Moeller loaded the bases via error and a walk, respectively.
- A Casillas fly out to right field brought home Ogbodiegwu, and then Moeller attempted to steal, which distracted the Triton defenders enough for Shortal to run home.
- Niles came back in to seal the sweep, including a huge strikeout to Ella Coiner.
NOTABLE PANTHERS:
- McLaughlin's grand slam is the first of the year for the Panthers and the first since Tori Szrom did it in 2020 against Florida Southern.
- Ogbodiegwu's solo home run in Game Two was her 12th of her career, which ties her with Monica Gordy and Tina Velazquez Rolon for sixth in program history.
- Hendrian added two more wins for a 14-9 record on the season and completed her 21st game of the season, which leads the NCAA
- Hogue went 3-for-8 along with two runs and three RBI, extending her team lead to 28 RBI.
- Casillas compiled three hits on six at-bats and drove in five runs for the Panthers. She is now hitting .319 on the year.
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE:
- The Panthers now move to an all-time 91-36 against Eckerd.
- Panthers have won nine of the past eleven series and 13 of 15 games between the two since 2019.
- Florida Tech is 38-19 at Eckerd since 1991.
- Panthers are on a five-game win streak.
UP NEXT: The Panthers return home for their season's final series in Nancy Bottge, hosting Tampa on Friday and Saturday. The first game on Friday will start at 6 p.m. ET.
For the latest news, updates and information on the Florida Tech Softball, visit FloridaTechSports.com. Fans can also stay up-to-date on the latest Panthers news by following Florida Tech Athletics on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.