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SB at Tampa Casillas Double
8
Winner Florida Tech FIT 28-18, 14-11 SSC
3
Tampa UT 35-5, 18-4 SSC
Winner
Florida Tech FIT
28-18, 14-11 SSC
8
Final
3
Tampa UT
35-5, 18-4 SSC
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
Florida Tech FIT 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 5 8 11 3
Tampa UT 0 0 2 0 0 0 1 0 0 3 5 2

W: Hendrian, Alex (12-7) L: M. Galhouse (12-1)

Game Recap: Softball |

Panthers Trample No. 3 Tampa in Ninth-Inning Rally

TAMPA, Fla. – Holding the third-ranked Tampa Spartans to three runs, Tech's five-run ninth inning propelled the Panthers to an 83 victory in Tampa on Thursday. Experienced in extra-inning games this season, Alex Hendrian returned the victor, letting up one earned run on five hits in a complete game effort.

STATS OF THE GAME:
Final: Florida Tech 8, No. 3 Tampa 3
Records: Florida Tech (28-18, 14-11 SSC) | Tampa (35-5, 18-4 SSC)
Location: Naimoli Family Softball Field | Tampa, Fla.

STATS OF THE GAME:

  • Both teams' pitchers did not let up a hit or run in the first two innings.
  • The first hit in the ball game came in the third inning by Ella Niles through left center. However, she did not come around to score.
  • Action started at the bottom of the third when Tampa built a 2-0 lead on back-to-back singles. Tech's starting pitcher Alex Hendrian halted the Spartans on a strikeout, ending the inning.
  • Celeste Casillas hoped to turn the momentum in the Panthers' favor by placing a ball over the left fielder's head for a double. But the Spartans maintained the 2-0 advantage.
  • Hendrian took care of business in the bottom of the fourth and fifth, producing three pop-ups, two groundouts, and a fly out to centerfield while giving up zero hits. The senior's stellar pitching kept the Panthers within reach, which they took full advantage of in the sixth.
  • Malaya Nelson led off, striking the ball down the left field line. After moving to second on a sacrifice bunt, Nelson crossed the plate when Chloe Fariello dropped a ball into right-center.
  • Casillas drilled a ball up the middle, setting up Miranda Schwartz for a two-RBI double to center field. Tech grabbed its first lead at 3-2.
  • In the seventh, the Spartans single just out of the reach of the Panthers' second baseman and lay down a bunt single. Tampa tied the score, forcing extras on a strong groundball.
  • Tampa's Mariah Galhouse and Hendrian pitched a 1-2-3 eighth innings, causing the game to go to the ninth.
  • The Panthers wanted to leave no chance for the Spartans, scoring five runs in the top of the ninth. Coming in to pinch hit, Samantha Shortal poked a ball into right field and made it all the way to third on a steal and throwing error.
  • Tech loaded the bases with smart bunts from Hailey Mix and Brooklyn Lorenzo. Singles by Nelson, Niles, and Casillas pushed the Panthers' lead to 8-3.
  • Despite the first two runners getting on base, Hendrian registered three outs, securing the 8-3 victory.

NOTABLE PANTHERS:

  • Alex Hendrian pitched another complete game and her third over seven innings, allowing one earned run and striking out one batter.
  • Celeste Casillas is a Spartan killer going 3-for-5 with a double and an RBI. The Hayward, California native is a career 9-for-16 against the Spartans, including four doubles to her name.
  • Malaya Nelson earned her tenth career multi-hit game on a 2-for-3 night. She is also on a four-game hit streak.
  • At the top of the lineup, Ella Niles batted two hits in three at-bats and drove in two runs.

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE:

  • The Panthers are 53- 77 all-time against the Spartans
  • It marks the first top-five win for the Panthers since they defeated No. 4 Auburn-Montgomery 3-1 on February 11, 2023.
  • The last time Tech defeated Tampa was in 2022 in Game Three. Hendrian started the 3-2 win over the Spartans.
  • Niles' two RBIs on Thursday give her a new career-high in a season with 10 RBIs as the leadoff batter.

UP NEXT: The Panthers play a doubleheader against No. 3 Tampa on Friday, starting at 1 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.

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