Keyed by freshman Ty Cohen’s career-high 11 strikeouts, and a pivotal four-run seventh inning, No. 11 Florida Tech earned a satisfying 6-3 victory over Palm Beach Atlantic at home Tuesday. (Photo by Amanda Stratford Photography)
BREVARD COUNTY • MELBOURNE, FLORIDA – Keyed by freshman Ty Cohen’s career-high 11 strikeouts, and a pivotal four-run seventh inning, No. 11 Florida Tech earned a satisfying 6-3 victory over Palm Beach Atlantic at home Tuesday.
A native of Woodstock, Georgia, Cohen had it going early and often against the Sailfish.
Ty Cohen
One start removed since surrendering five earned runs versus Flagler, Cohen worked six shutout frames before allowing a lone run on a wild pitch in the seventh inning.
The right-hander scattered six hits and walked none, improving to 5-1 on the year. His 11 strikeouts are the most by any Panther in a single outing this season.
Greg Berkemeier
“Ty threw the ball very, very well,” said head coach Greg Berkemeier.
“He threw the way we know he’s capable of. He went out there and executed very quality pitches the entire night. He left just a handful of balls up, honestly.”
“He did a very good job of being able to throw multiple pitches for strikes, and keeping them at bay the entire night. That was a big time outing for us, and one that we desperately needed,” said Berkemeier.
The Panthers struck first in the home half of the second on catcher Ryan Sinzenich’s two-run single through the right side of the infield.
Starting in only his 17th collegiate contest, Sinzenich went two-for-three, and now has 10 RBIs in his last five games played.
“We know he’s capable of playing well,” said Berkemeier when asked if he’s made it a point to squeeze the freshman into the lineup more regularly.
“We also have a big guy that plays the same position (Austin Allen) and is having a pretty good year as well. So, we have to try to make sure we’re mixing and matching and using our guys that give us the best chance to be successful.”
Ahead just 2-1 in the bottom of the seventh, a seemingly regular occurrence late in ball games, the Panther bats began to tee off.
Leadoff batter Reid Neal greeted Sailfish reliever Phil DiLandro with a comebacker up the middle to make it 3-1 Panthers.
Two batters later Allen collected his team-leading 38th RBI, depositing a hanging breaking ball into right field. Continuing the rally, Ricky Rodriguez and Tyler Doughty each added a RBI to their names as well.
Palm Beach Atlantic chipped away with a pair of runs in the eighth, but Jerrod Leinhauser secured the victory in the ninth by notching save No. 7.
Perhaps the hottest hitter in the Sunshine State Conference, Neal finished the evening 4-for-4, and is now 11 for his last 16 overall.
The Panthers dive back into league action, as they travel to Miami Shores, Florida for the opening of a three-game series with Barry Thursday at 6 p.m.
