Florida Tech’s Rachel Pence, Ryan Sinzenich Named Panther Student-Athlete of the Week Honors
By Florida Tech // April 12, 2016
BREVARD COUNTY • MELBOURNE, FLORIDA – Softball’s Rachel Pence and baseball’s Ryan Sinzenich have been named the Panther Student-Athletes of the Week for their performances during the week of Apr. 4-10.
Pence helped Florida Tech to a 2-1 series victory over Sunshine State Conference opponent Eckerd, pulling off something only two Panthers have done in the past 10 years. In the opener of the three-game set against the Tritons, the righty hurler recorded the second no-hitter of her career and the first since her collegiate debut in 2014, tossing seven innings strong with seven strikeouts.
In total, Pence surrendered only seven hits all series over the course of 16 inning in the circle. EC tagged the former Creekside High School product for just two earned runs, while being limited to a measly .123 team batting average
Sinzenich saved what potentially would’ve been one of the biggest collapses in program history Saturday. Entering the bottom of the ninth inning trailing by a pair of runs, the sophomore catcher erased the memory of a blown eight-run lead with a three-run walk-off home run to lift Florida Tech to a dramatic 15-12 victory, securing the 2-1 SSC series win versus Barry.
The Fort Lauderdale, Florida finished the contest 2-for-3 with a home run, double, four RBIs, three walks and two runs scored.
In game one of the series the night before, Sinzenich also tallied the go-ahead RBI in Florida Tech’s 2-0 triumph, recording two of the Panthers’ five hits to go along with a pair of free passes.
For the week, Sinzenich hit .556 and posted a stellar .714 on-base percentage.
Pence and the Florida Tech softball squad is set to make a return trip to western Florida Tuesday at 6 p.m. ET to take on league-leading No. 4 Saint Leo.
Meanwhile, Sinzenich and the baseball team will jump back into action at home Tuesday at 6 p.m. in a regional bout with Flagler, a team it beat 7-1 back on Feb. 10.
For complete coverage, log onto FloridaTechSports.com.
