MELBOURNE, Fla. – The Florida Tech softball team fell in both doubleheader games on Saturday, 3-1 and 5-2. Ella Niles continues to excel in the lead-off spot, getting on base six times in two games.
GAME ONE:
STATS OF THE GAME:
Final: Florida Tech 1, Palm Beach Atlantic 3
Records: Florida Tech (5-5, 1-1 SSC) | Palm Beach Atlantic (4-2, 1-1 SSC)
Location: Nancy Bottge Field | Melbourne, Fla.
STATS OF THE GAME:
- Despite allowing the first two batters, the Panthers miraculously get out of the jam on an unbelievable triple-play. Ella Niles snatched a line out, immediately tossing it to the shortstop for a tag out. The final out was ruled due to a runner leaving the base early.
- After an incredible defensive play, Niles started the offense with a leadoff single. Miranda Schwartz extended her hitting streak, and Haley Rider also singled to load the bases, but Tech would come away with no runs.
- Sammy Murphy had a much simpler second inning, getting the first three batters out, including striking out the final two.
- Palm Beach Atlantic broke the seal in the third by striking two singles, one left of center and the other into right field.
- Tech responded in the bottom of the third. Niles walked and moved to third on a Chloe Fariello strike at the pitcher. Celeste Casillas put down a solid sacrifice bunt, which gave Niles a chance to sprint home, tying the game at 1-1.
- However, the Sailfish retook the lead in the fourth off a Rylee Little triple. Little also came into score due to an error for a 3-1 advantage.
- Murphy added three more strikeouts, one in each of the final three innings, but the offense could not draw closer.
GAME TWO:
STATS OF THE GAME:
Final: Florida Tech 2, Palm Beach Atlantic 5
Records: Florida Tech (5-6, 1-2 SSC) | Palm Beach Atlantic (5-2, 2-1 SSC)
Location: Nancy Bottge Field | Melbourne, Fla.
STATS OF THE GAME:
- Trying to catch a runner stealing second, Brooklyn Olson saw a Sailfish runner going for home and passed a well-placed ball to Dani Sigel for the tag to get out of the inning unscathed.
- Palm Beach Atlantic broke through the next inning immediately as Marli Szierer blasted a leadoff solo shot.
- Samantha Shortal tallied a hit in the bottom of the second, but it led to no runs.
- In the third inning, Alex Hendrian got the first two batters out but gave up another solo home run as the Sailfish took a 2-0 lead.
- Both teams failed to score in the fourth, but Palm Beach Atlantic extended their lead by in the fifth.
- Casillas rocketed a double over the centerfielder's head. The senior came around to score on a pop-out and a sacrifice fly.
- Making it harder for the Panthers to come back, the Sailfish smacked another solo shot and added one more for good measure for the 5-1 edge.
- Haley Rider subbed in to lead off the final inning, crushing her first career home run, giving Tech a chance. The Panthers fell short in a 5-2 loss.
- NOTABLE PANTHERS:
- Ella Niles had another good night, going 2-for-4 with four walks and two stolen bases.
- Haley Rider also went 2-for-4, including her first career home run.
- Sammy Murphy registered another complete game and six strikeouts.
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE:
- Tech moved to 41-31 against Palm Beach Atlantic and 27-12 all-time at home.
- Schwartz is leading the team in batting average at .407. She extended her hit streak to 10 in game one.
- Niles improved her batting average to .393 on the season after going 7-for-1 in the last four games. Also her two stolen bases gave her 50 in her career, making her the sixth player in program history with 50+ career steals.
- Hendrian is one complete game shy of entering the program's top-10.
UP NEXT: The Panthers travel to Flagler for a doubleheader on Tuesday, February 18. The first game will start at 3 p.m. ET.
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