VIERA, Fla. – The final two games for the USSSA Space Coast Spring Games ended in Panther victories, increasing the team's win streak to 13. Florida Tech softball defeated Molloy 12-9 and Southern Connecticut State 3-0.
GAME ONE:
STATS OF THE GAME:
Final: Florida Tech 12, Molloy 9
Records: Florida Tech (20-12, 7-5 SSC) | Southern Connecticut St. (5-8, 0-0 ECC)
Location: USSSA Space Coast Complex | Viera, Fla.
STATS OF THE GAME:
- Molloy got off to a hot start, plating two runs on back-to-back hits in a three-hit bottom of the first.
- In the third inning, Tech registered three straight singles after the leadoff batter got out. Despite not being a hit, Casillas put the ball in play for a sacrifice foul out, scoring a runner. Following the sacrifice, Miranda Schwartz singled, bringing in two more runs, and Haley Rider doubled, ending the inning at third base for a 4-2 Panther advantage.
- The Lions got one back the next half-inning, leading off with a double and later an RBI single.
- Up by one, the Crimson and Gray extended their lead to 6-3 in the top of the fourth. Brooklyn Lorenzo sliced a ball over the right fielder's head, giving her time to make it to third base. Kate Rodel drove in Lorenzo by recording her first career extra-base hit, doubling to left center. Rodel scored the next at-bat off a Malaya Nelson single
- Kelsey Han took over in the circle in the fourth, coasting through the Lions' lineup in the fourth and fifth innings.
- The sixth inning was explosive for both teams as each team plated six runs, keeping it a three-run game in the Panthers' favor. Hailey Mix's first career home run caused two of the Panthers' six runs. Tech tallied three extra-base hits: Lorenzo and Jillian Moeller doubled, while Samantha Shortal tripled.
- Molloy compiled four hits, which created three runs, and four walks led to the other three runs.
- The Panthers had a 1-2-3 inning in the seventh, having to get the final three outs to secure the win.
- After the first two Molly batters single, Chloe Fariello came in relief with the tying run at the plate. Fariello was magnificent, producing two ground balls and a fly out, earning the save in a 12-9 victory.
GAME TWO:
STATS OF THE GAME:
Final: Florida Tech 3, Southern Connecticut St. 0
Records: Florida Tech (21-12, 7-5 SSC) | Southern Connecticut St. (9-5, 0-0 NE10)
Location: USSSA Space Coast Complex | Viera, Fla.
STATS OF THE GAME:
- Fariello took her momentum from pitching the first into the second game as a batter. The redshirt freshman singled to shortstop and advanced to second, and a throwing error to start the first. A few pitchers later, she took off for third, forcing a bad throw from the catcher, leading to the game's opening run.
- Coming off a stellar week, Sammy Murphy continued to deal in the circle, getting the first two Owl hitters to fly out. After two singles, Murphy earned the third out on a grounder to third base.
- Murphy had a relatively more straightforward second inning while striking one, then worked out of a bases-loaded jam by line out in the third.
- Tech helped their pitcher out, adding another run to the board in the fourth inning. A lead-off walk, two fielders' choice, and a wild pitch had a runner in scoring position. Mix dropped a ball in front of the right fielder, allowing Rider to make it safely home. Panthers increased their lead to 2-0.
- During the fourth and fifth innings, Murphy allowed one hit and struck out one to keep the Owls off the scoreboard, finishing her outing.
- Schwartz blasted a pitch to the left wall as she sprinted to third base for her second triple of the season in the sixth. Stepping off the base, the Southern Connecticut State catcher tried to throw her out but overshot her third baseman instead, causing Schwartz to jog home for the 3-0 edge.
- In relief for the second straight game, Fariello finished the shutout while striking out two batters.
NOTABLE PANTHERS:
- Miranda Schwartz hit 3-for-5, recording a triple and three RBI.
- In back-to-back games, Sammy Murphy has not allowed a run. It has been 17 innings since Murphy let up a run. She pitched five innings and struck out two for her ninth win of the season.
- Chloe Fariello earned her first two career saves. She also gave up one hit and struck out two in three innings of work.
- Hailey Mix smashed her first career home run for two RBI.
- Kate Rodel recorded her second career multi-hit game with a 2-for-4 day and first career extra-base hit.
- Five Panthers had two this in the game against Molloy. The team's 15 total hits was the second-most by the Panthers this season.
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE:
- The Panthers remain unbeaten against both teams, moving to 9-0 against Molloy and 3-0 against Southern Connecticut State.
- It was the first meeting between the Panthers and the Owls since 2004.
- Florida Tech is 14-4 all-time at the USSSA Space Coast Complex
- Tech's 13-game win streak is the program's longest winning streak since winning 13 straight between March 2-March 24, 2013.
- The Panthers have won by shutout in three of their past four games.
- Murphy improved her ERA to 2.91 on the season, which is good for 18th in the SSC.
UP NEXT: The Panthers play Saint Leo in a three-game weekend series at Nancy Bottge Field, starting Friday, March 21 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.
