Panthers Split in Double Header With Lions

SAINT LEO, Fla. The Florida Tech Panthers (2-1)split losing the early game 6-5 and taking the night cap 6-4 from Saint Leo (1-1) today at the Southard
Stadium. The weekend was supposed to be a three game non-conference series but due to inclement weather on Saturday they were only able to make -up one
game on Sunday to at least get two of the three games completed.

Sophomore right handed pitcher Brett Backman (Whitby, Ontario) opened up the game going four innings allowing six hits on four runs while striking out six
and placing one on base. Junior right handed reliever Jody Danca (Naples, Fla.) also hurled four innings giving up only one run and three hits. Danca
walked four and fanned two batters. Newcomer junior transfer from Polk Community College Matt Woods (Lake Hamilton, Fla. Suffered the hard loss giving up
the winning run allowing the only batter faced a home run.

Saint Leo newcomer Eric Spicer (Jacksonville, Fla.) made quite a first impression for Saint Leo, hitting a walk off home run leading off the top of the
ninth inning. The walk-off was his second homer of the game, he also hit a home run in his first at bat as a Lion in the first inning.

Juniors Steve Condotta and Jonathan Baksh both products of Mississauga, Canada each plowed one over the fence for the game, with Condatta slamming his
second of the season. Baksh went 3-for-3 with one run and two RBI’s, while Condatta went 3-for-4 with two runs and three RBI’s. Sophomore Nick Brennan
pitched in one hit and one run for game one.

In the second game, Tech blew past Saint Leo in the fifth inning scoring five runs to pull off the lead.

Saint Leo jumped out to a four to one advantage in the bottom of the first, but were unable to hang onto the lead. Saint Leo scored the four runs on three
hits and one Panther error. Florida Tech came back on Lions starter Jesse Wilson (Dade City, Fla.) in the top of the fifth, scoring five runs on three hits
and one Lion error.

Florida Tech starter Mike Succio Jr. (Melbourne, Fla.) shut down Saint Leo after his early troubles, allowing only one hit in his final four innings of
work. Sophomore local player Mike Campbell (Melbourne, Fla.) finished off the game for the Panthers, holding the Lions hitless in the final two innings of
play achieving his first collegiate save.

Florida Tech was led by freshman catcher Kevin Villa (Miami, Fla.) with his first appearance behind the plate with two hits and one run Devin Hopkins
(Pembroke Pines, Fla.) and Baksh had two runs batted in apiece. Hopkins slammed home the winning run hitting a double for 2 RBI’s. Baksh who had just
pulled out the same play just under a minute earlier was the winning run with Condatta following close behind to score the insurance run.

The Panthers will be back in action on Tuesday, February 7th traveling south to play Barry University in a non-conference game at 6:00 p.m. in Miami
Shores.