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Panthers Roll to Doubleheader Win Over Stonehill

Nancy Bottge Field

Florida Tech softball had as good a day as you could hope for on Tuesday, winning both ends of a doubleheader by identical 8-0 scores over visiting Stonehill at Nancy Bottge Field. Both games ended in the sixth inning, due to the eight-run rule. These were the first two games of the season for Stonehill, who had their first two games canceled due to weather.

Game one was ended in the bottom of the sixth, thanks to the eight-run rule.  The Panthers pounded out 13 hits with Xiarysse Emerenciana and Ally Carver both had 3-for-5 days at the plate, with two RBIs each. Jessica Callahan and Lexi Bettermann had two hits apiece.

Amanda Kahn pitched well, working out of a few two-runner on jams, but she got out of those and got the complete game in the opener. She allowed four hits in six innings of work, walking two and striking out four. She threw a very economical 61 pitches, 37 for strikes.

The Panthers got on the board early in game one, putting three runs on the board in the top of the second. Skyhawks pitcher Jennifer Mayette struggled with her command and walked four Panthers in the frame. She ended up walking six in 4.2 innings and Skyhawks pitching allowed nine in the game.

After Vanessa Rubio and Alexus Smith earned free passes, Szrom grounded to first and Erin Brayden stepped on first and threw to second. It was the right play, but Smith was ruled safe because she was not tagged. That put runners at second and third and after Makayla Palmer walked to load the bases, a two-run single from Melinda Rule made it 2-0. Bettermann walked to load the bases again and Emerenciana singled home the third run.

The Panthers loaded the bases in the third inning and fourth innings, but were unable to push anything across. Kahn meanwhile, heading into the fifth, had retired 11 of 15 batters she faced. She retired the first two batters in the inning but allowed the next two to reach, before getting the final out on a pop-up.

Florida Tech would add three more in the bottom of the fifth. Palmer doubled off the top of the wall and was pinch-run for by Katie Maiello. One out later, Bettermann singled her home, making it 4-0. Carver singled her home later in the inning, making it 5-0. After a double by Callahan, Mayette’s day was done.

She threw 139 pitches, allowing 10 hits and six runs. Only three of those runs were earned. Kazi Walker came in to relieve her and after she walked Rubio to load the bases, Ashley Campbell pinch hit and was at the plate when a passed ball allowed the sixth run to score.

The final two Panther runs came home in the bottom of the sixth. Maiello started the inning off with an impressive at-bat, making walker throw 11 pitches before earning a walk. She was caught stealing, but a single from Bettermann and a triple off the top of the wall by Emerenciana made it 7-0. Emerenciana would score the eighth run on Carver’s RBI single.

For more info: Stonehill @ Florida Tech Box Score (Game 1)

Florida Tech (10-11) picked up right where they left off when game two got underway. They scored seven runs in the bottom of the first, helped by five hits and four Skyhawks errors.

Xiarysse Emerenciana got things started when she singled against Stonehill starter Genna Hartman. She stole second and went to third on an errant throw. A wild pitch allowed her to score the first run. Two more errors led to Carver scoring the second run.

An infield single by Palmer made it 3-0 and a double by Shanysse Emerenciana made it 4-0. Alaina Perry got the start in the circle but also got a couple at-bats. She singled in that first inning and eventually scored the fifth run on a wild pitch. Bettermann walked and eventually scored on an error to make it 6-0 and Shanysse scored the final run.

Perry (3-0) worked out of a couple jams in her three innings of work, allowing two hits and three walks, while striking out one. She threw 30 of her 53 pitches for strikes. McKenzie Krutsinger came in in relief and pitched the final three innings, allowing four hits. She threw 46 pitches, 30 for strikes.

Florida Tech ended this one in the bottom of the sixth. Xiarysse Emerenciana doubled to start the inning and scored the final run when a ball hit by Rebecca Wilson was misplayed.

That double capped a 4-for-4 day for Xiarysse, who finished the day with seven hits in nine trips. Palmer was 2-for-2 and Shanysse went 2-for-3. Florida Tech was credited with 24 hits in the two games combined.

For more info: Stonehill @ Florida Tech Box Score (Game 2)

The Panthers homestand will continue Thursday. They will host Tiffin in a doubleheader, beginning at 2:00 p.m.