Panthers Split With #9 Buccaneers in SSC Softball Action

MIAMI SHORES, Fla.-The Florida Tech Panthers (23-10, 10-5) despite outscoring the #9 ranked Barry University Buccaneers (25-7, 9-3) six to five for the day
split the double header.  Tech lost the first game 1-0 and took the night cap 6-4 for their first victory over Barry for the year.

With the split, Barry moves below Florida Southern in the SSC standings to second place, while Tech because of more games played moves to the fifth spot
below Saint Leo and Rollins.  This weekend’s play against Rollins could make or break the Panthers pushing them back up to the top three or keeping
them at fifth in the conference.

In game one, Panther’s junior starter Judith Husband (Wewahitchka, Fla.) suffered the heart-breaker losing her second game of the season. Husband, who is
now 5-2, allowed eight hits on one unearned run. She walked three for the contest. The Bucs’ Amber Jack was awarded the win with the shut-out allowing four
hits and placing two Panthers on base.

Barry’s lone run came off a fielding error by Tech’s shortstop junior Laura Chisena (Ocoee, Fla.). The Panthers four hits came from seniors’ Courtney
Harless (St. Cloud, Fla.), Karen D’Alberto (Cape Coral, Fla.) and Kelly Darden (Orlando, Fla.) and sophomore Dana Buccelli (Melbourne, Fla.).

In the nightcap, the Panthers came alive at the plate.  Tech’s bats were on fire tallying eleven hits for the game. Chisena led the way going 2-for-3
with two runs scored. Harless also had two hits and notched an RBI. Junior Katie Naumoff (Poland, Ohio) went 2-for-4 with one run.

Naumoff  also scored the first run of the game off a hard knock by Harless. Salls rounded off the multiple hit club going 2-for-4 with one run.

Darden, junior Kristen Fettes (Deltona, Fla.) and Buccelli each added a hit for the game. Darden and Fettes also added runs, while Darden and Buccelli each
brought home runners.

Buccelli effectively worked her bat in the fourth and the fifth bringing home the second run and what would eventually be the winning run for Tech.

Harless,  Darden and Buccelli were the only Panthers to hit safely for the day. For the three game series, Harless led the way with four hits and two
RBI.

The Panthers will be back in action on Friday, March 31st and Saturday, April 1st hosting Rollins College in another SSC three game series. First pitch on
Friday will be at 2:00 pm.