MELBOURNE, FLA. – Florida Tech and Sioux Falls were back in action this afternoon for the middle games of their four-game series. The Panthers and Cougars faced off in a nine-inning/seven-inning doubleheader.
DOUBLEHEADER GAME ONE
Final: Florida Tech Panthers 7, Sioux Falls Cougars 5
Records: Florida Tech (10-7, 3-3 SSC)
| Sioux Falls (4-8, 2-2 NSIC)
Location: Andy Seminick-Les Hall Field
| Melbourne, Florida
GAME NOTES:
- The first inning of today's doubleheader saw both teams load the bases, but they were unable to capitalize on the early base runners.
- The Panthers struck first in the bottom of the second with a four-run explosion to take the lead. William Rollings doubled, Adrian Dominguez singled and Brian Perez homered to jump on the Cougars early.
- Sioux Falls responded with two runs in the top of the third, but AJ Wydra worked to get out of the jam.
- William Rollings notched his second double of the game and came around to score to get a run back for the Panthers.
- After two straight scoreless innings from Wydra, Tech added two more runs in the bottom of the fifth. Adrian Dominguez roped a triple down the right field line to score Marshall Burke and later scored off a Brian Perez sacrifice fly for a 7-2 lead.
- In the top of the seventh, Sioux Falls cut into the lead with another two-run inning but Bryson Walker worked to end the threat and leave two runners stranded on second and third.
- Leading 7-4, Tech turned to Noah Steckley and Blake Holshouser to close out the game. Steckley did allow a run, but Holshouser picked him up to secure the game one win.
FINAL: Florida Tech Panthers 7, Sioux Falls 5
NOTABLE PANTHERS:
- AJ Wydra – WIN (3-1) – 5.0 IP, 5 Ks, 2 ER
- Adrian Dominguez – 2-2, 2 RBI, Triple, 2 HB, Walk
- William Rollings – 2-4, 2 Doubles, 2 Runs, Walk
- Brian Perez – 1-3, 3 RBI, Home Run
DOUBLEHEADER GAME TWO
Final: Florida Tech Panthers 6, Sioux Falls Cougars 1
Records: Florida Tech (11-7, 3-3 SSC)
| Sioux Falls (4-9, 2-2 NSIC)
Location: Andy Seminick-Les Hall Field
| Melbourne, Florida
GAME NOTES:
- The Panthers wasted no time getting on the board in game two, batting around the order in the bottom of the first. Tech put up five runs on six hits to take control of the contest early.
- Tech added another run in the bottom of the second to take a 6-0 lead over Sioux Falls. In the first two innings of play, eight Panthers reached base safely with Anthony Fimiano leading the charge with two hits in his first two at-bats.
- Hunter Stolov was dealing on the mound for Tech, not allowing a Cougar base runner to reach third base through the first six innings.
- While Stolov continued to roll, the Panthers were held scoreless for the remainder of the game despite picking up three more hits.
- The Panther defense also played well to keep Sioux Falls off the scoreboard with multiple high-level plays.
- In the top of the seventh, the Cougars finally found some momentum as they strung a pair of hits together to break the shutout.
- However, Stolov dug deep to finish the game and earn a seven-inning complete game outing and picked up his third win of the year.
FINAL: Florida Tech Panthers 6, Sioux Falls 1
NOTABLE PANTHERS:
UP NEXT: Florida Tech and Sioux Falls will wrap up the four-game series tomorrow afternoon. First pitch of the series finale is scheduled for 2:00 PM on Sunday, March 8
th.
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