Florida Tech Softball Heads To Eckerd Spring Invitational With Momentum
By Florida Tech // February 5, 2016
BREVARD COUNTY • MELBOURNE, FLORIDA – Heading into the weekend with a 4-1 record after successfully hosting the inaugural Florida Tech/Marriott Kickoff Classic, No. 14 Florida Tech preps for a quality slate of opponents Saturday and Sunday at the Eckerd Spring Invitational in Clearwater, Florida.
The Panthers will make the trip across I-4 to the Gulf Coast to battle No. 6 Valdosta State and Colorado Christian on Saturday prior to facing Chadron State and Preseason Sunshine State Conference No. 1 Saint Leo on Sunday.
FIT made a statement in the season’s opening week, outscoring its opponents 32-12 in five games. So far on the young season the Panthers are batting .310 at the plate while crushing 14 extra-base hits and drawing 17 walks. In the circle, FIT boasts a 3.00 ERA with 28 strikeouts.
After tremendous starts to their respective seasons, pitcher Rachel Pence and shortstop Krista Patterson were dubbed the year’s first SSC Players of the Week.
The Blazers are off to an equally strong start, coming into the tournament with a 5-1 mark, including an 11-4 victory over No. 1 North Georgia. VSU has tallied 40 runs in its first six games, smoking nine long balls along the way.
The Panthers’ other three opponents during the invitational have yet to play a game in 2016. CCU went 23-29 a year ago, including a 3-0 loss to FIT in Clearwater. The Cougars were selected sixth in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Coaches Poll.
Chadron State registered a 15-35 record in 2015. The Eagles were slated tied for seventh in the RMAC preseason poll. SLU was tabbed the SSC favorites in January after going 29-21 last season.
Links to live stats for all five of this weekend’s games will be available at FloridaTechSports.com/live
