Panthers Slug Five Home Runs, Rack Up 22 Hits In Doubleheader Split With St. Leo

By  //  April 23, 2017

panthers Grant McKown slams three home runs

Florida Tech (25-16, SSC 9-6) split a doubleheader on Saturday at Rollins losing Game one, 11-5 but bounced back scoring 17 runs in Game 2 to knock off the home team by a dozen runs.

ST. LEO, FLORIDA – Florida Tech (25-16, SSC 9-6) split a doubleheader on Saturday at Rollins losing Game one, 11-5 but bounced back scoring 17 runs in Game 2 to knock off the home team by a dozen runs. 

The Panthers suffered a though loss during the first game of the doubleheader but quickly roared back in the second game of the doubleheader, taking home two important conference wins.

On the day FIT was stellar at the plate. Five Panthers hit at least one home run each.

Grant McKown led Florida Tech’s “slug-fest” as the senior belted three home runs with three RBI’s.

Daniel Spzik hit two round trippers adding six RBI’s, while John Sternagel, Reid Neal and Ryan Sinzenich hit one home run each.

Collectively, Florida Tech scored 27 total runs on 22 hits.

On the mound, Colin Cristello earned his second win of the season. The sophomore allowed one run in three innings pitched.

Grant McKown led the Panthers Game 2 “slug-fest”, as the senior belted three home runs with three RBI’s. (FIT image)

The Crimson and Gray opened up the first game setting the pace, as McKown went yard, hitting a deep shot beyond the left field fence. However, the Lions quickly answered back in the second, as they posted three runs in the bottom of the second inning and took a 3-1 lead.

In the top of the third, Spzik closed the gap for FIT plating Neal for another Panthers run.

After three scoreless innings, SLU scored four runs  increasing their lead over the Panthers to 7-2. The Florida Tech lineup kept fighting, and in the seventh Spzik hit a three-run homer to left field.

Saint Leo collected three more runs and in the eight, drove in another run, ultimately beating the Panthers, 11-5.

The Panthers came out bats a blazing in Game 2.

McKown and Sternagel hit back-to-back home runs in their very first at bat.

Nick Capra then drove in another run with a sac-fly, while Sinzenich blasted another bomb for the Panthers, drving in two runs and putting FIT ahead, 6-0.

The Lions closed the gap in the third picking up three runs but in the fourth Grant McKown hit his third solo homer of the day.

Florida Tech scored five more runs in the sixth as Orchard drove in the first run on a double, while Neal and Spzik delivered two runs apiece on long home runs.

Daniel Spzik hit two round trippers adding six RBI’s
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The Panthers scored two more runs extended the lead to 14-3.

SLU tried to close the gap picking up another run but the Crimson and Gray extinguished any thoughts of a further comeback as the Panthers scored three more runs, winning 17-5.

Next up, Florida Tech heads back home for another SSC series against neighbor Rollins College.

Game 1 of the series is 6 p.m. ET on Wednesday, Apr. 26.

For live coverage of the event, fans can log into floridatechsports.com/live

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