After winning game one in dramatic fashion, 4-3 the Florida Tech Softball team finished a successful day, taking down the Ursuline Arrows 5-3 in game two of the doubleheader. Florida Tech has now won two in a row and nine of their last 10 games.
McKenzie Krutsinger got the start in the circle for Florida Tech. She got through the first inning unscathed but after getting the first two outs in the second, Sadie Jones doubled and went to third when a ball hit by Leah Leshnack resulted in an error. Alison Hughes brought both runners home with a double down the left field line, giving the visitors an early 2-0 lead.
Florida Tech (16-12) answered quickly in the bottom of the second. Jessica Callahan singled and Vanessa Rubio stepped to the plate and took Ursuline starter Gina Rosshirt out of the yard. It was her second home run of the year and tied the game at two.
Victoria Szrom 2-for-3) doubled one out later and after Melinda Rule was hit by a pitch and Lexi Bettermann struck out, Xiarysse Emerenciana, who had a big game in game one, singled to left, But Szrom was thrown out at third. Emerenciana was the Panthers leading hitter in this game, going 3-for-4.
The Arrows (2-12) threatened again in the third. Brigitte Snow led off with a double and one out later, Brooklyn Miller singled and Snow headed to third and got caught in a rundown thanks to a throw from Ally Carver in right to Rubio, before being tagged out between third and home. Krutsinger was able to get out of the inning two batters later.
The Panthers took the lead in the bottom of the frame. Mikayla Wessel drew a walk and stole second. She took third on a passed ball and came home on a Jessica Callahan sacrifice fly, giving the Panthers a 3-2 lead. Callahan finished the game 2-for-2 with the one RBI and a run scored.
Jones singled to start the fourth inning and went to second on a groundout. Karlie Wilbur followed with a single and Jones headed home as the tying run but was cut down on a great throw to the plate by Wessel.
In the bottom of the fourth, the Panthers got a quick insurance run. Alexus Smith walked and Szrom doubled her home, making it 4-2.
The Arrows added a run in the top of the sixth, cutting the deficit to one. Florida Tech answered in the bottom of the inning, with two outs. Bettermann walked and stole second. She scored the final run of the day when Emerenciana doubled her home.
Krutsinger (5-4) pitched 5.2 innings, giving up three runs (two earned) on eight hits. Amanda Kahn, who pitched six no-hit innings in game one, gave up two hits in 1.1 innings in this game, earning her first save of the season.
For more info: Ursuline @ Florida Tech Box Score (Game 2)
The Panthers return to Nancy Bottge Field on Wednesday afternoon for a doubleheader against Caldwell University. First pitch is scheduled for noon.