Panthers Can Not Overcome Early Lead, Fall 6-2
LAKELAND, FL- The Florida Tech Panthers fell today in the first of a three-game Sunshine State Conference series against rivals Florida Southern, 6-2. Tech
aloud all six of the Moc’s runs in the first four innings and although they shut down the home team’s offense the last four innings of the game the
Panthers could not manage a comeback.
Junior Jay Crouse (Naples, FL), usually a very reliable pitcher, was knocked around for eight hits and six runs in three and a third innings pitched.
Tech’s reliever, freshman Justin Arsenault (Camillus, NY), closed the game for the Panthers. He pitched 4.2 perfect innings, not allowing a hit or walk
while striking out three.
The Moc’s took an early lead, scoring their first run of the game in the bottom of the first. Junior Nick Diyorio (Mulberry, FL) started the game for
Florida Southern with a single up the middle. He reached second on a sacrifice bunt, and third base on a sac fly to deep right field. Diyorio scored the
first run of the game on a wild pitch by Jay Crouse.
In the second Southern increased their lead by another run. With one out junior Nick Mershon (Taylors, SC) singled through the left side of the infield.
After stealing second he came in to score on an RBI single by freshman Will Cherry (Lakeland, FL).
Florida Southern managed to score two more in the third on three hits, a walk, and an stolen base. In the fourth they put their last two runs on the board,
capping their lead at 6-0.
Tech threatened to score in the top of the sixth, putting runners on second and third with two outs, but they could not cash in on the opportunity. They
did manage to score two runs in the eighth. Sophomore Nick Brennan (Detroit, MI) started the inning with a single in between the first and second baseman.
With one out junior Steve Condotta (Mississauga, Canada) smacked a two-run homerun over the leftfield wall, bringing the score to 6-2.
Steve Condotta had a great day at the plate for the Panthers. He went a flawless 3-3 with a double and homerun, scored a run and drove in the only two
Panther runs. Senior Bryan Stanton (Merritt Island, FL) was the only other Panther to get multiple hits, going 2-4 at the plate.
With the loss the Panthers fall to 21-16 on the season, 6-7 in the SSC. The Florida Southern Moc’s, winners of last years NCAA Division II World Series,
improve to 24-15, 5-5 in the SSC. The two rivals continue the series tomorrow, playing a double header. First game is scheduled for 1:00 pm.
