MELBOURNE, Fla. – Florida Tech split a pair of games against No. 2 Angelo State, highlighted by a dominant 9-1 run-rule victory in the opener powered by timely extra-base hits and a five-run sixth inning but fell 11-3 in game two.
GAME ONE:
STATS OF THE GAME:
Final: Florida Tech 9, No. 2 Angelo State 1 (6 inn.)
Records: Florida Tech (6-2-1, 0-0 SSC) | Angelo State (10-2, 0-0 LSC)
Location: Nancy Bottge Field | Melbourne, Fla.
STATS OF THE GAME:
- Angelo State threatened in the opening frame with a two-out double, but the Panthers' starting pitcher Sammy Murphy stranded the runner with a strikeout to keep the game scoreless.
- Tech struck first in the bottom of the first as a three-hit inning was capped by an RBI single from Haley Rider, giving the Panthers a 1–0 lead.
- The Panthers' defense worked around a second-inning single and an error, retiring the final two batters to maintain the advantage.
- However, the Rambelles tied the game in the third using a walk, a single, and aggressive baserunning to make it 1–1.
- In the bottom half, the Panthers answered immediately when Miranda Schwartz launched a three-run home run to left, pushing Tech in front 4–1.
- Angelo State put two runners on in the fourth, but a flyout and a groundout ended the threat.
- Both teams were quiet offensively through the middle innings, with Murphy's pitching and defense retiring six of seven Rambelles at one point.
- Schwartz sparked the fifth with a leadoff triple, but Angelo State escaped the inning without allowing a run.
- Tech's defense delivered a quick 1-2-3 sixth inning to keep the three-run cushion intact.
- The bottom of the sixth saw the game break open with a Kate Rodel single and two consecutive bunts, one for a single and the other a sacrifice. Chloe Fariello drove in both runners at second and third on a single to right field for the 6-1 edge
- Moments later, Emma Chisholm blasted a three-run home run to center, capping a five-run inning and giving Florida Tech a commanding 9–1 run-rule victory.
GAME TWO:
STATS OF THE GAME:
Final: Florida Tech 3, No. 2 Angelo State 11
Records: Florida Tech (6-3-1, 0-0 SSC) | Flagler (11-2, 0-0 LSC)
Location: Nancy Bottge Field | Melbourne, Fla.
STATS OF THE GAME:
- Kelsey Hahn in the circle showed resilience early, stranding two runners in the first and working out of traffic despite multiple hit batters and walks.
- The Panthers' defense limited damage in the opening innings, turning key outs and preventing a bigger rally after Angelo State's solo homer in the second.
- In the third, Tech let up four runs with no outs but Rodel on a steal attempt got the runner out at third. Angelo State scored one more before Hahn worked out of it.
- The Panthers broke through in the fourth when Ella Niles singled and later scored on an RBI knock from Ellie Chisholm, putting Tech on the board down 7-1.
- Tech kept applying pressure in the fifth as Malaya Nelson tripled and came home on Mia Terito's RBI single, trimming the deficit to 7-2.
- Ava McCormick regrouped with a clean sixth inning, retiring Angelo State in order to keep the Panthers within striking distance.
- Chisholm delivered again in the sixth with a solo home run to center, giving Tech multiple extra-base hits and continuing the late push.
- But the Rambelles crushed back-to-back solo shots in the seventh then three more singles to add four runs in the seventh for an 11-3 win.
NOTABLE PANTHERS:
- In her second consecutive home doubleheader, Emma Chisholm recorded two home runs and five RBI in her three total hits.
- Miranda Schwartz almost hit for the cycle in the Game One victory, going a perfect 4-for-4 with a triple and homerun.
- Sammy Murphy secured her second top-10 victory, pitching a complete game and striking out two batters
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE:
- The win over No. 2 Angelo State marked the Panthers second all-time win over the Rambelles and the highest ranked victory under Coach Val Silvestrini.
UP NEXT: The Panthers start conference play on the road against Palm Beach Atlantic. The three-game series start with a game on Friday, February 20 at 4 p.m. ET.
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