Florida Tech Sweeps Double Header, Now 8-1 On Season
By Florida Tech // February 16, 2014
Panthers defeat Fire of Southeastern in twin bill
After weather messed the original plans for this weekend, The Florida Tech Panthers traveled to Lakeland Saturday for two games against the Fire of Southeastern.
The Panthers won both games 5-1, 2-1 to earn the Saturday sweep, and improved to 8-1 on the season.
The Panthers broke through first in game one with a run in the first inning. Senior Andrew Bartlett led the game off with a single to the shortstop. With freshman Grant McKown at the plate, Bartlett stole third, and was able to score on the play after an error by the Fire.
Down by a run, Southeastern tied the game up with a run in the bottom of the second. Corbin Weeks was able to score of an error by the Panthers.
The game remained 1-1 until the Panthers came to the plate in the sixth. Freshman Andrew Calderone drove a double into right-center field, which brought junior Kevin Wortman around to score. Calderone scored later in the inning off of a wild pitch. The runs put the Panthers up 3-1.
The Panthers’ offense kept rolling with two more runs in the seventh inning. Sophomore Austin Allen brought both Bartlett and senior Jorge Chavarria around to score with a double to right field. The 5-1 cushion was all the Panthers needed, as they took game one 5-1.
Junior Ashton Fronsoe (1-0) picked up the win for the Panthers. Fronsoe pitched seven innings, where one unearned run scored. He also allowed just three hits, and struck out four.
Nick Beavers (1-1) suffered the loss for the Fire in game one. Beavers pitched just one inning in relief, and gave up two earned runs.
Game two was a pitching duel until the Panthers scored the games’ first run in the fifth inning. Senior Dan Bodziak reached base with a single to center field. Bartlett then scored Bodziak from first with a double to left field. The run gave the Panthers the 1-0 lead.
Nine innings was not enough to determine a winner, as the game went into extras. The Panthers (8-1) broke through in the top of the 10th. Chavarria reached base on a walk. Allen then brought Chavarria for what proved to be the winning run with a base hit. The Panthers shut the Fire down in the bottom of the 10th, and earned the 2-1 victory.
SECOND GAME OF TWIN BILL GOES EXTRA INNINGS
The Fire came back and tied the game in the sixth inning. Ryne Knuth was able to score off a base hit from Bryan Muniz, which knotted the game up at 1-1.
Nine innings was not enough to determine a winner, as the game went into extras. The Panthers (8-1) broke through in the top of the 10th. Chavarria reached base on a walk. Allen then brought Chavarria for what proved to be the winning run with a base hit. The Panthers shut the Fire down in the bottom of the 10th, and earned the 2-1 victory.
Junior Jerrod Leinhauser (1-0) earned the victory. Leinhauser came into the game in the 9th inning, and pitched the 10th. Junior Scotty Ward started the game and pitched six innings in a no decision.
Jonathan Martin (0-1) suffered the loss for the Fire. Martin gave up the winning run in the 10th inning.
GAME ONE BOX SCORE • GAME TWO BOX SCORE
The Panthers will host the Fire at Seminick-Hall Field on Wednesday Feb. 19. First pitch is set for 6 p.m. with live audio and stats available at FloridaTechSports.com
