After losing to St. Mary’s to start the day, the Florida Tech softball team bounced back to beat Flagler 5-2, capping off the second day of the 2018 Florida Tech Softball Classic.

Melanie Murphy finished what she started for the sixth consecutive game, evening her record at 3-3 on the season. The Panthers offense staked her to a four-run lead in the first inning and she rewarded them, getting the team back to .500 on the season at 6-6.

Shanysse Emerenciana had two of the Panthers five hits against Saints pitcher Ally Marcano. She allowed all five Florida Tech tallies. She started the top of the first by hitting Mikayla Wessel and one out later, she hit Jessica Callahan. After a double steal, Makayla Palmer walked to load the bases. Alexus Smith reached on a fielder’s choice, with the third baseman throwing home to get Wessel.

Marcano walked Vanessa Rubio after an eight-pitch at-bat and while one run was scoring, Palmer decided to try her luck and she made it. She was credited with a steal of home and just like that, the Panthers were up 2-0. Rachel Kraak then laced a triple to right-center, scoring Smith and Rubio and closing out the four-run inning.

Rubio got a more conventional RBI in the third inning when she singled home Palmer, who led the inning off with a hit. That put the Panthers ahead 5-0.

Errors have come at the most inopportune times for Florida Tech this weekend and Saturday was no exception. Morgan Murphy singled to start the inning and moved to second one out later on a Jaclyn Mijuskovic single. After a groundout advanced both runners, Garland Evans hit one to Xiarysse Emerenciana at second and her throw was offline, allowing both runners to score.

Murphy got the next batter out and she was able to escape the inning with no further damage. Both runs in the inning were unearned. The only other baserunner she allowed was a walk in the seventh to Jamie Greenwood.

Murphy gave up two unearned runs on four hits over seven innings. She struck out two, throwing 63 of her 89 pitches for strikes.

For more info: Flagler @ Florida Tech Box Score 

The tournament wraps up tomorrow with a rematch between these two teams at Nancy Bottge Field. First pitch is set for 3:00 p.m.