Florida Tech Panthers Execute Seventh Inning Comeback In Softball, Takes Down Washburn 5-2
By Florida Tech // February 12, 2016
BREVARD COUNTY • MELBOURNE, FLORIDA – One thing is for certain, Florida Tech isn’t afraid to wait until the final inning to make a comeback. For the second straight contest the Panthers entered the seventh frame facing a deficit, and for the second consecutive contest FIT made a rally for the win, topping Washburn 5-2 on Friday at the Marshall and Vera Lea Rinker Complex.
“This is a team that never gives up and it’s great to see that,” said head coach Val Silvestrini.
“It’s not fun for the fans but we know that as long as we have outs we have a chance and we never give up. I think we could have made those adjustments earlier but it’s better late than never.”
The Ichabods started off fast, loading the bases in the first inning. Rachel Pence, however, did a nice job of limiting the damage, holding WU to a single run.
The Panthers, conversely, took a little while to get things going, waiting until the fourth to get their first runner on base on an Audrey Gangloff infield single. FIT took advantage of the opportunity as Gangloff scored later in the frame on a Krista Patterson double to left-center.
Washburn responded immediately, reclaiming the lead when Gangloff failed to make a clean play in center on a single up the middle.
The Panthers, ever resilient, would not be denied in the seventh. The inning kicked off with a pair of singles by Patterson and Emily York, and Hailey Leonard followed by plowing a double to right to score both runners and give FIT its first lead of the game.
FIT wasn’t done there. After an Ashley Montion walk, craziness ensued. Leonard was tagged out at the plate on a softly hit ball and Karina Suicava was hung up between first and second. While the Ichabods attempted to catch the speedy Brazilian, Montion took off for home and scored, while Suicava was safe on the play. Jessica Callahan added an additional insurance run in the next at bat with a single up the middle.
The Ichabods made a run at a comeback of their own, loading the bases in the second half, but Pence was able to shut the door for the victory.
Patterson was the only Panther to record multiple hits, going 2-for-3 at the plate with an RBI. Pence went the distance in the circle, surrendering a single earned run and striking out six.
The Panthers are back at it at the Marshall and Vera Lea Rinker Complex on Saturday, taking on Georgia Southwestern and Armstrong State at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. ET, respectively.
