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Tampa Edges FIT In College Softball

By  //  March 2, 2013

Same Teams Play Doubleheader On Saturday

TAMPA, FLORIDA – One mistake was the difference in Florida Tech’s Sunshine State Conference softball opener at seventh-ranked Tampa Friday night as the Spartans defeated the Panthers 1-0 at Vince Naimoli Field.

Pitcher Taylor Smith (3-4) gave up just three hits, an unearned run and a walk, while striking out four in 6.2 innings in a softball loss Friday at Tampa. (Image courtesy of Florida Tech)

Tampa is now 11-2 and 1-0 in SSC play, while FIT drops to 9-11, 0-1.

With one out in the seventh inning, Katlyn Raatz drew a walk and was then replaced by pinch runner Megan Paul.

After a groundout moved Paul to second base, Erika Shick hit a ground ball to Kara Dickinson at shortstop. Dickinson fielded it cleanly, but her throw was off the base. Paul came around third and scored the game-winning run.

Taylor Smith (3-4) surrendered just three hits, an unearned run and a walk, while striking out four in 6.2 innings. Her counterpart Kayla Cox (9-1) fired her fourth no-hitter of the season, striking out 15 and walking none.

The only batter to reach base was the first batter of the game, Elaine Brown. Brown touched first after an error by third baseman Kandi Kuder.

The Panthers and Spartans will conclude the series with a doubleheader on Saturday starting at 1 p.m. in Tampa.