FIT Panthers Sweep Softball Doubleheader
By Florida Tech // March 10, 2013
Win Streak Reaches Six Games For Florida Tech
BREVARD COUNTY • MELBOURNE, FLORIDA – Florida Tech came from behind in both games of Saturday’s sodftball doubleheader against Embry-Riddle to win 6-5 in 11 innings in game one and 8-6 in game two at Nancy Bottge Field in Melbourne.
The Panthers have now won six straight games and seven of their last nine.
“Today was an offensive battle,” head coach Val Silvestrini said. “Our team worked really hard inning after inning and came from behind in both games. I’m proud of the way this team worked today.”
The Eagles took a 5-2 lead in the 11th inning of game one. In need of three runs to tie and four to win, the Panthers went to work in the bottom half. With the international tiebreaker in effect, Nicole Shinksy ripped a double to left field to score Elaine Brown from second base. Shinsky then advanced to third on an illegal pitch, and Kaci Kelley drew a walk to put runners at first and third with one out.
Embry-Riddle reliever Alexis Estrada recorded a big strikeout for the second out. Ashley Montion, however, stepped into the batter’s box and took the third pitch she saw to left field to score Shinksy and Kelley to tie the game. Erica Tollett won the game on a base hit to right field, which scored Montion from second base.
Montion finished the game 3-for-4 with two RBIs and two runs scored.
Amanda Smith (9-5) pitched all 11 innings and threw 131 pitches to earn her ninth win of the season. She struck out a season-high eight batters and walked just one.
Game two was almost as exciting for the Panthers as they scored five unanswered runs over the last three innings. They trailed 3-0 heading into their first at-bat before scoring at least one run over the next four innings.
Embry-Riddle led 8-7 going into FIT’s half of the sixth when Lindsy Dugan launched a go-ahead two-run home run to left-center field.
Taylor Smith (6-5) relieved Lindsay Nolan in the fourth inning and secured the win in the seventh. She threw four scoreless innings and surrendered just three hits.
Dickinson ended the game a perfect 4-for-4 with two RBIs and three runs scored. Taylor Peterson contributed three hits. Brown and Shinksy had two apiece as the Panthers outhit the Eagles 14-10.
FIT will return to Nancy Bottge Field on Wednesday to host Palm Beach Atlantic in a doubleheader starting at 2 p.m.
