Tech Snaps Losing Streak with Win over PBA, 5-1
MELBOURNE, FL- The Florida Tech Panthers snapped their four-game losing skid today with a 5-1 win over the hosting Palm Beach Atlantic Sailfish. With the
victory the Panthers improve to 22-18 heading into this weekend’s Sunshine State Conference series against Barry University.
Junior Jon Baksh (Mississauga, Canada) went 2-4 at the plate with a run and two RBIs. Sophomore Eammon Powers went a solid 1-2 with two walks, an RBI, and
a stolen base.
Tech scored the first run of the game in the top of the third inning. Freshman Kevin Villa (Miami, FL) led off the inning with a walk. He advanced to
second on a sacrifice bunt and later scored on a Jon Baksh RBI single to left field.
The Panthers extended their lead in the next inning. With a runner on third and one out senior Dustin Dangalan (Port Orange, FL) smacked deep sacrifice fly
to leftfield, scoring the runner and notching the score at 2-0. In the sixth inning the Panthers scored another run; with two outs senior Randy Pitts
(Melbourne, FL) singled to right centerfield. He stole second, advanced to third on a wild pitch, and later scored on an error by the Sailfish catcher.
Palm Beach Atlantic managed to score their only run in the bottom of the sixth. Junior Raybo Lisle (Palm City, FL) singled up the middle to drive in junior
Chelsey Davis (Brevard, FL) from third.
Tech padded their lead again in the eighth inning. Senior Bryan Stanton led off the inning with a single up the middle and took second on a wild pitch. Jon
Baksh came through for the Panthers again, this time driving an RBI single up the middle. Eammon Powers later singled up the middle, driving in Baksh from
second.
Freshman Jake Koch (Orlando, FL) picked up the win for the Panthers. Starting hurler Mike Piazza (Port St. Lucie) pitched four scoreless innings, allowing
three hits while striking out three. Reliever Koch went five innings, giving up only one run on four hits, while fanning six batters.
The Panthers host visiting SSC rivals Barry University this weekend in a three-game series. The first game is scheduled for Friday at 3:00 pm. On Saturday
the two rivals will face off in a doubleheader starting at 12:00 pm.
