No. 15 Florida Tech Handles Business Against Caldwell, 8-1
By Florida Tech Athletic Communications // March 20, 2015
Panthers collected 17 hits
BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – Behind an all-around sharp effort, 15th-ranked Florida Tech cruised to a decisive 8-1 victory over Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference member Caldwell Thursday afternoon.
The Panthers collected 17 hits, including a season-high four from right fielder Daniel Szpik, and freshman Ty Cohen tossed five crisp innings to improve to a perfect 4-0 on the year.
“Today we wanted to focus on making sure we go out and play a clean baseball game,” said head coach Greg Berkemeier.
“We wanted to get back to playing the way we’re capable of. For the most part, we did that. We had a couple little mistakes there that we have to continue to clean up, but we found a way to win.”
With win No.4 under his belt, Ty Cohen now sits atop the Sunshine State Conference ranks among freshmen pitchers. The Woodstock, Georgia native surrendered just three hits on the afternoon, fanning six and walking none.
Florida Tech, as a whole, has now failed to walk a single batter in six contests, and has surrendered just 32 in 208 total innings.
Now 21-3 on the season, Florida Tech wasted no time letting its bats be heard in the top of the first inning.
Reid Neal and Grant McKown set the tone with back-to-back singles, before third baseman Ricky Rodriguez found a whole through the left side of the infield for a RBI base-hit with one away.
Rodriguez finished the day 2-for-4 with a pair of RBIs and a pair of runs scored.
Ahead 2-1 in the fourth, the Panthers tagged Caldwell starter Michael Sheridan for three runs on three hits, highlighted by consecutive RBI doubles from Austin Allen and Rodriguez.
Florida Tech would tack on a run apiece in each of the fifth, seventh and eighth innings, as Luke Lorah and Chase Wissman combined for four shutout frames out of the Panther bullpen.
After recording 17 hits Thursday, Florida Tech has now amassed at least 11 hits in 18 of 24 games.
A quick turnaround awaits, as the Panthers open a three-game series at home against Rollins Friday at 6 p.m.
Live video, audio and stats will be available at floridatechsports.com/live
