Florida Tech’s Felicia Leftinger, Daniel Szpik Selected Panther Student-Athletes of the Week
By Florida Tech // March 22, 2016
BREVARD COUNTY • MELBOURNE, FLORIDA – Women’s golf’s Felicia Leftinger and men’s baseball’s Daniel Szpik have been named the Panther Student-Athletes of the Week for their performances during the week of Mar. 14-20.
Led by Leftinger’s effort, No. 1 Florida Tech overcame a one-stroke deficit entering the final round of last week’s Barry Women’s Invitational to capture its third tournament title in four chances this spring.
The 2014-15 WGCA First Team All-American fired a tournament-low seven-under 65 in the second round before notching an even-par 72 on the final day as Florida Tech set a single-round season best with a collective two-under 286.
Leftinger narrowly missed out on individual medalist honors after her putt slid just wide of the cup on the third playoff hole, yet was still able to pick up her second runner-up finish in less than a month. As a team, the Panthers broke Rollins’ previous total of 874 in 2015 with a new 54-hole record of 866 throughout the event.
Continuing to show great strides from his freshman to sophomore season, Szpik led the way offensively as Florida Tech picked up a series win over Palm Beach Atlantic this past weekend. The right fielder hit a combined 8-for-12 (.667) and slugged an impressive 1.250, tallying a home run, five RBI’s and five runs scored in the process.
In Friday’s 8-4 victory, Szpik finished a double shy of the cycle after going a perfect 4-for-4 at the plate with two RBI’s and three runs scored. He later followed up the effort in Sunday’s finale with a 3-for-4 afternoon to go with a pair of runs batted in to take over sole possession of the Sunshine State Conference lead with 32 RBI’s already this season.
Leftinger and the top-ranked Florida Tech women’s golf team are looking to continue its impressive run with the Lady Panther Invitational currently underway at Duran Golf Club in Viera, Florida.
Meanwhile, Szpik and the Panthers’ baseball squad are set to return to the diamond this Thursday at 3 p.m. ET for the series opener against conference rival Lynn.
For complete coverage, log onto FloridaTechSports.com.
