Undefeated No. 14 Panthers Open SSC Slate with a Bang

By  //  February 27, 2015

Panthers lead league in batting and ERA

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Sunshine State Conference play opens Friday, as Florida Tech faces off with Eckerd at 6 p.m. (FIT Image)

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – Considered a season within itself, the unbeaten No. 14 Florida Tech Panthers trek across the state to open Sunshine State Conference play against Eckerd Friday at 6 p.m.

Ranked as high as No. 14 in this week’s D2 Baseball News poll, the Panthers couldn’t have asked for a better start.

Both Florida Tech’s pitching and hitting are in sync, and it’s receiving production from a multitude of guys, whether it be freshmen, seniors, the top or the bottom of the lineup.

Currently, the Panthers lead the league in both batting and earned run average, and have surpassed their 2014 home run total a mere 13 games in.

Although tabbed a non-conference matchup, if Tuesday’s meeting with Florida Southern was any indicator of just how high of a level the Panthers are playing – look out SSC.

Florida Tech was locked in from the get-go and shined on historic Henley Field.

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Ty Cohen

The Panthers’ No. 4 starter, for now, Ty Cohen scattered just four singles through a career-high seven innings of work against a Moc ball club that entered the contest averaging 10.9 runs per game.

The freshman from Woodstock, Georgia struck out six, and if not for the rout could’ve easily tossed a complete game, having thrown only 71 pitches.

Offensively, Florida Tech tallied 15 hits as all nine starters reached base safely. In addition, the Panthers’ 7-8-9 hitters combined for seven of the team’s 11 runs scored, a testament to their depth.

Albeit through the league’s lone series thus far, Eckerd sits atop the conference standings with a 3-0 record following last weekend’s road sweep of Rollins.

In contrast to the Panthers, the Tritons rely much more on a “small-ball” type approach at the plate. Eckerd heads into Friday leading the SSC in sacrifice bunts and is tied with Rollins for the most stolen bases.

Leadoff batter Lucas Luopa will be a key factor in this weekend’s series. The Eckerd second baseman holds team–highs in nearly every offensive category, including hits, RBIs and steals.

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Righty Ashton Fronsoe is expected to be on the hill for FIT in game one. The senior has failed to allow an earned run in his last 14.1 innings.

Live pay-per-view video and stats will be available for Friday’s series opener starting at 6 p.m. Live stats will be offered for Saturday’s doubleheader beginning at 12 p.m.

Links to both can be found at FloridaTechSports.com

Weekend Schedule (All Times Eastern)
Friday at Eckerd (6 p.m.)
Saturday at Eckerd (12 p.m.)
Saturday at Eckerd (2:30 p.m.)