MELBOURNE, Fla. – Florida Tech softball swept Molloy in a doubleheader, taking game one 9–6 before securing an 8–0 run-rule victory in game two. It's the Panthers fourth run-rule victory and 13
th game scoring 8 or more runs.
GAME ONE:
STATS OF THE GAME:
Final: Florida Tech 9, Molloy 6
Records: Florida Tech (20-6-1, 7-1 SSC) | Molloy (3-8, 0-0 ECC)
Location: Nancy Bottge Field | Melbourne, Fla.
STATS OF THE GAME:
- Tech jumped out early in the first inning as Chloe Fariello reached on a bunt single, stole second, and scored on an RBI double from Emma Chisholm, with another run coming home later in the frame to make it 2–0.
- A five-run rally broke the game open in the second inning, highlighted by Fariello's RBI triple, Emma Chisholm's two-run home run, and RBI hits from Malaya Nelson and Jillian Moeller to extend the lead to 7–0.
- The Panthers added on in the third inning when Kate Rodel delivered a two-RBI single, pushing the advantage to 9–0.
- Despite putting runners in scoring position, starting pitcher Ava McCormick worked out of trouble through three innings.
- Molloy broke through in the fourth inning with two runs and added two more in the fifth to cut into the deficit to 9-4.
- McCormick came back in, delivering a clean sixth inning to help maintain control heading into the final frame.
- The Lions mounted a late push in the seventh with two runs on multiple hits, but the Panthers were able to close it out and secure the 9–6 victory.
GAME TWO:
STATS OF THE GAME:
Final: Florida Tech 8, Molloy 0
Records: Florida Tech (21-6-1, 7-1 SSC) | Molloy (3-9, 0-0 ECC)
Location: Nancy Bottge Field | Melbourne, Fla.
STATS OF THE GAME:
- Tech and Molloy were locked in a scoreless pitcher's duel through the first three innings, with Fariello striking out four batters and giving up just two hits.
- Molloy gave up one hit in the same span to Ella Niles on a bunt single in the third.
- Miranda Schwartz ended the stalemate by launching a solo home run, giving Tech a 1–0 lead.
- The Panthers added on in the fifth as Mia Terito led off with a solo home run to left field, and later Emma Chisholm drove in two RBI on double, bringing home two batters who walked to extend the advantage to 4–0.
- Fariello put the Lions down in order with three consecutive groundouts in the top of the sixth.
- Tech put the game away in the sixth inning with a four-run frame, highlighted by Jillian Moeller's sacrifice fly and a two-RBI double from Fariello that turned into extra bases on an error, pushing the lead to 8–0.
- The Panthers completed the shutout, holding Molloy scoreless while allowing minimal offense to secure the 8–0 run-rule victory.
NOTABLE PANTHERS:
- Chloe Fariello did it all at the plate and in the circle. As a batter she went 4-for-5 and 3RBI on Tuesday, including a perfect 3-for-3 Game One.
- In the circle, Fariello earned her fifth win of the season and tied a career-high five punchouts in a complete game effort.
- Emma Chisholm crushed her 13th home run while going 3-for-6 and a team-leading 5 RBI.
- Mia Terito and Mandy Schwartz also launched bombs in Game Two.
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE:
- Tech remains unbeaten against Molloy with a 11-0 all-time record.
- The teams met for the third consecutive season and the fourth time in five.
- The Panthers are 26-2 all-time against teams from the ECC.
- Tech is 221-125-1 against non-SSC opponents under Val Silvestrini
- Schwartz entered the program's career top 10 for RBI.
- Fariello took sole possession of 10th place in program history for career steals.
- Game Two marked the sixth complete game and third shutout for Fariello in her career, as well as first this season in each category.
UP NEXT: The Panthers wrapped up their non-conference schedule and play Lynn in a three-games series, starting Friday, March 20. First pitch is set for 6 p.m. ET.
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