SAINT LEO, Fla – The Panthers battled through a tough three-game series at Saint Leo, salvaging the finale with a dramatic 9-8 victory but ultimately dropping the series 2-1. After falling in the day two opener 5-2, the Panthers rebounded in game two with late-inning heroics, including a clutch home run from Jacob Guthrie and a go-ahead run from Carlos Guzman. With the win, Tech has now matched last season's win total of 17.

GAME ONE:
STATS OF THE GAME:
Final: Florida Tech 2, Saint Leo, 5
Records: Florida Tech (16-14, 6-8 SSC) | Saint Leo (11-16, 3-8 SSC)
Location: Saint Leo, Fla | Thomas B. Southard Stadium

STATS OF THE GAME:

• The Lions opened the game up in the bottom of the first inning after three runs gave them the early lead, 3-0.
• Saint Leo collected two singles, one bringing home one run and the other bringing home two runs.
• Two more runs from the Lions were added in the bottom of the second inning from a double that brought home two, increasing the lead to 5-0.
• The Panthers got on the board for their first run in the top of the fourth when Anthony Fimiano flied out to right field, bringing home Cole Patrick in the process cutting into the deficit still trailing 5-1.
• In the top of the fifth inning, Tech added one more run as Patrick singled through the left side bringing home Pedro Figueroa.
• This would be the final run for both sides as the Lions would sustain their three-goal lead and carry it on their way to the win.
• Aidan Lenzen got the start and received the loss for the Panthers lasting all eight innings, giving up 11 hits and five runs while walking zero and striking out three.

 
Notable Panthers:

• Cole Patrick and Marshall Burke tied for the lead in the game with three hits each while Anthony Fimiano finished with two hits.
• Patrick and Fimiano each registered an RBI for the Panthers.
• Pedro Figueroa led Tech in stolen bases with one.

 
GAME TWO:
STATS OF THE GAME:
Final: Florida Tech 9, Saint Leo, 8
Records: Florida Tech (17-14, 7-8 SSC) | Saint Leo (11-17, 3-9 SSC)
Location: Saint Leo, Fla | Thomas B. Southard Stadium

STATS OF THE GAME:

• Conner Wiggins got game two started in the top of the third inning as he tripled to bring home Pedro Figueroa taking the lead for Tech, 1-0.
• Jaden Hill then added in another run for the Panthers after his flyout brought home Wiggins for a run, 2-0.
• The Lions answered back strong with four runs in the third inning via three singles, the first brought home two runs, and the final two brought home one each giving Saint Leo the 4-2 lead.
• The Panthers answered back in the top of the fourth inning when Gabe Garrett tripled to left center bringing home Figueroa and Marshall Burke in the process, tying the game at 4-4.
• Anthony Fimiano gave the Panthers the lead again when he singled bringing home Garrett, 5-4.
• In the bottom of the fourth, the Lions tied the game at 5-5 via a flyout that brought one run home.
• Noah Burke then took things into his own hands in the top of the fifth inning with a two-run homer bringing home Adrian Dominguez and himself, 7-5.
• The Lions would slowly start a comeback as they tied the game over two innings via a triple in the sixth and a single in the seventh each bringing home a run, 7-7.
• In the eighth inning, the lead would change again as the Lions would advance home via an error from the Panthers, 8-7.
• Enter Jacob Guthrie pinch-hitting for the Panthers and it would be critical as Guthrie solo homered to tie the game at 8-8.
• Carlos Guzman pinch-hitting for the Panthers as well would then triple and with Cole Patrick up to bat, take the lead for the final time via a wild pitch allowing Guzman to score the go-ahead run, 9-8.
• Trenten Anderson got the start in game two for the Panthers lasting five innings, giving up nine hits and five runs while walking two and striking out one.
• Ethan Stephens and Noah Steckley both made an appearance in relief. Stephens lasted two innings, giving up three hits and two runs while walking none and striking out two. Steckley finished the game's final two innings earning the win as he gave up one hit, and one run while walking one and striking out three.

NOTABLE PANTHERS

• Noah Steckley had a team-high three strikeouts.
• Gabe Garrett and Noah Burke tied for the lead in RBIs for Tech each with two.
• Three Panthers registered triples in the matchup: Carlos Guzman, Garrett, and Conner Wiggins.
• Jaden Hill led Tech in stolen bases with two.
• N. Burke and Jacob Guthrie each recorded a home run to lead the game.

 
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE:

• Noah Steckley is now up to three wins on the season.
• Jacob Guthrie recorded his first HR of the season while Noah Burke is up to five.
• Aidan Lenzen in game two achieves the first complete game by a Panther pitcher since Colin Costello threw a seven-inning complete game against Bridgeport on March 8, 2019. Lenzen, also becomes the first Panther starting pitcher to throw eight innings since Joey Hecht did so against Embry-Riddle on April 14, 2022.
• All-time vs. Saint Leo: 66-97-1
• Since the start of 2015, the Lions hold a 17-14 advantage in the series, with the Panthers having now won nine of 15 since the start of 2021.
• Tech is now 25-37 at Saint Leo since 1991.

 
UP NEXT: The Panthers will travel to St. Augustine, Florida to take on Flagler College on Tuesday, March 25 set for 6 PM.

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