GULF SHORES, Ala. – Strong performances in the circle set the tone for Florida Tech, powering the Panthers to a 2–1 win over No. 6 North Georgia and a 3–3 tie against West Alabama, as the two starters combined to allow just one earned run while striking out 17 across 12 innings.
GAME ONE:
STATS OF THE GAME:
Final: Florida Tech 2, No. 6 North Georgia 1
Records: Florida Tech (3-1, 0-0 SSC) | North Georgia (1-2, 0-0 PBC)
Location: Gulf Shores Sportplex | Gulf Shores, Ala.
STATS OF THE GAME:
- Tech went quietly in the first inning, but the Panthers' defense set the tone early, stranding a North Georgia runner after a leadoff double in the bottom of the first.
- Kate Rodel broke through in the second, doubling home the game's first run before
- Brooklyn Lorenzo followed with an RBI double to give Tech a 2–0 lead.
- Pitcher Sammy Murphy settled in after the early threat, retiring North Georgia in order in the second and third innings with three strikeouts.
- North Georgia threatened again in fourth with another leadoff double, but Murphy struck out the next two batters and forced a flyout for the third, keeping the Nighthawks off the scoreboard.
- The Panthers continued to apply pressure offensively, collecting hits in the third, fourth, and fifth innings, though North Georgia's defense limited further damage.
- UNG cut into the lead in the bottom of the fifth with an RBI double, trimming the margin to 2–1.
- Tech responded defensively by Miranda Schwartz rushing to catch a line drive at third base.
- North Georgia mounted a final push in the bottom of the seventh, putting a runner on with a single, Tech closed the door with a lineout to second to end the game.
- Behind Murphy's excellent pitching and two doubles in the second, the Crimson and Gray secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory.
GAME TWO:
STATS OF THE GAME:
Final: Florida Tech 3, West Alabama 3
Records: Florida Tech (3-1-1, 0-0 SSC) | Delta State (2-1-1, 0-0 GSC)
Location: Gulf Shores Sportplex | Gulf Shores, Ala.
STATS OF THE GAME:
- The Panthers jumped ahead early in the first inning, scoring twice with help from a wild pitch and an RBI single by Emma Chisholm to take a 2–0 lead.
- West Alabama threatened in the bottom of the first with a double, but Kelsey Hahn worked out of trouble without allowing a run by striking out two batters.
- Lorenzo reached on a single, stole second, and later scored on an RBI single from Cristina Fariello, making it 3–0 in the top of the 2nd.
- Hahn pitched her best inning striking out the side, including causing two batters to swing and miss.
- The Tigers got on the board in the third with an unearned run following an error and an RBI bunt single, trimming the deficit to 3–1.
- Two more unearned runs crossed on a two-RBI single, in the fourth, allowing West Alabama to tie the game at 3–3.
- Hahn's pitching and defense settled in late, holding West Alabama without a run in the fifth and keeping the game tied when the game was cut short.
NOTABLE PANTHERS:
- The pitching was stellar in both games for the Panthers, starting with Sammy Murphy earning her first win versus No. 6 North Georgia while tying a career-high nine strikeouts
- Kelsey Hahn in game two completed her second career game and surpassed her career best in strikeouts with eight and allowed zero earned runs.
- Emma Chisholm went 3-for-6 with one RBI
- Chloe Fariello had a 2-for-3 and an RBI game against UWA.
- Kate Rodel is becoming an RBI machine, batting in another one in her second appearance for the opening run against No. 6 UNG.
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE:
- Tech is now 2-3 against North Georgia all-time.
- Sunday's victory was the Panthers first since Melanie Murphy's perfect game in 2018.
- It is the second consecutive year both teams met on February 1st in Gulf Shores.
- The Panthers are 3-5-1 versus West Alabama.
UP NEXT: The Panthers hosts their home opener against Flagler on Saturday, February 7. The doubleheader starts at 1 p.m. ET.
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