WINTER PARK, Fla. – Panthers softball battled through a doubleheader against Rollins, bouncing back from a game one loss to claim victory in game two and secure the series win. The Panthers showcased resilience, with strong pitching and timely hitting leading the way.

GAME ONE:
STATS OF THE GAME:
Final: Florida Tech 1, Rollins 8
Records: Florida Tech (23-15, 9-8 SSC) | Rollins (22-9, 11-6 SSC)
Location: Rollins Softball Stadium | Winter Park, Fla.

STATS OF THE GAME:

• Tech's offense got going early, putting two runners in scoring position on a walk, a Celeste Casillas single, and two stolen bases. However, the Panthers were not able to cross home plate.
• Sammy Murphy struck out her first batter, and Kate Rodel darted a throw to second to catch a Tars runner stealing, leaving Rollins off the scoreboard.
• Rollins turned it around in the second, recording three hits in the first four inning batters, including a two-run shot by Kaeli Zahradnik. The Tars had a 3-0 edge going into the third.
• The Tars added another run in the third, doubling to right center, increasing their lead to 4-0.
• In the fifth, the Panther's fightback started on a laced ball off the bat of Malaya Nelson. A well-placed bunt and single from Casillas later and Nelson rounded the bases for Tech's first run.
• Rollins extended their lead further to the bottom of the fifth. The first batter registered a git, and two hitters later, a double brought the leadoff hitter home. The Tars earned another run from a throwing error later in the inning.
• The 8-1 deficit in favor of Rollins was enough to take game two of the series as Tech did not draw closer in the final two innings.

GAME TWO:
STATS OF THE GAME:
Final: Florida Tech 5, Rollins 3
Records: Florida Tech (24-15, 10-8 SSC) | Rollins (22-10, 11-7 SSC)
Location: Rollins Softball Stadium | Winter Park, Fla.

STATS OF THE GAME:

• Like game one, the Panthers got their offense started early, scoring two runs in the top of the first inning as Haley Rider brought in Celeste Casillas and Miranda Schwartz on separate singles, putting Tech up 2-0.
• Chloe Fariello added in one more run for the Panthers with a single, bringing home Malaya Nelson, pushing the lead to 3-0 in favor of Tech.
• The Tars responded at the bottom of the third inning with two runs via a single that brought home one run and a fielder's choice, which allowed the runner on third to score, cutting the Panther's lead to 3-2.
• Tech quickly answered back in decisive fashion, building their lead up to three after Ella Niles tripled to the left-center, bringing home Nelson, and in the fifth inning when Schwartz hit a solo home run, 5-2.
• Rollins would get one more run on the board in the bottom of the sixth inning after a single to right field brought home the run, 5-3.
• The Panthers' defense sank their heels in, led by Fariello, with five strikeouts on the mound, closed out the game, giving Tech the series win.

• Haley Rider and Ella Niles tied for the lead in the game with two hits each, while Niles collected the lone stolen base for Tech
• Miranda Schwartz secured the lone home run of the contest.

• Tech remains on top of Rollins 63-60 all-time and improved to 25-29 at Rollins.
• Since the start of the 2015 season, the Panthers hold a now 18-13 advantage in the series.
• Miranda Schwartz's home run moves her into a tie for fourth in program history for career home runs with Vanessa Rubio (2017-2020) and Mya Ogbodiewgu (2021-2024).

UP NEXT: The Panthers will stay on the road and head to Daytona Beach, Florida as they face Embry Riddle next weekend in a Sunshine State Conference weekend series starting Friday at 1 PM.

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