TAMPA, FLA. – Panther baseball was back on the road this evening to begin their last Sunshine State Conference road series. Tech traveled west to take on No. 2 Tampa.
SSC PLAY – SERIES OPENER
Final: Florida Tech Panthers 2, #2 Tampa Spartans 3
Records: Florida Tech (17-24, 8-17 SSC)
| Tampa (34-7, 20-2 SSC)
Location: Tampa Baseball Field
| Tampa, Florida
GAME NOTES:
- Justis Meadows led off the game with a double down the line, and Marshall Burke singled up the middle as the Panthers were threatening in the top of the first. However, Tampa's starter was able to get out of the inning without allowing the Panthers to score.
- Tampa loaded the bases in both the bottom of the first and second, but AJ Wyda earned two big-time punch outs to keep the game scoreless.
- While the Spartans finally broke through in the bottom of the third, AJ Wydra limited the damage and kept the deficit to just one run.
- Wydra tossed two more scoreless innings to finish his day with five innings pitched, zero earned runs, and seven strikeouts.
- Feeding off the strong start from Wydra, the Panthers went to work in the top of the sixth. Conner Wiggins earned a one-out single and scored when the next batter, Marcello Cortale, roped a triple off the right field wall. The next batter, Marshall Burke, singled up the middle to score Cortale to give Tech a 2-1 lead.
- Tampa responded with a solo shot in the bottom of the sixth, and the game was tied 2-2 heading into the final three innings.
- Reilly Kuhar entered in relief and tossed scoreless seventh and eighth innings to send the game to the ninth still tied at two.
- In the top of the ninth, the Panthers worked counts and got base hits from Anthony Fimiano and Joseph Phan to load the bases with two outs.
- Unfortunately for Tech, all three base runners were left stranded, and Tampa escaped the jam. In the bottom half of the inning, the Spartans lead off hitter singled and came around to score to walk off the game.
FINAL: Florida Tech 2, #2 Tampa 3
NOTABLE PANTHERS:
UP NEXT: Tech will take the field again in less than 24 hours to wrap up their series against #2 Tampa. The two sides will battle in a doubleheader starting at 1:00 PM.
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SCHOLARS. CHAMPIONS. LEADERS
