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Panthers Throttle Barry in Series Opener

Victoria Szrom – Sports Lowdown Photo

The Florida Tech Panthers got their weekend off to a good start Friday night against former assistant coach Sean Cotter and his Barry Buccaneers, with a 12-2 victory in Miami Shores. The game ended after five innings, due to the run-rule.

After a scoreless first inning, Jessica Callahan got the second off to a good start with her third big fly of the season, against Bucs’ starter Geneva Santos. Makayla Palmer walked and Victoria Szrom singled. They both advanced when Alexus Smith reached on an error, loading the bases. Shanysse Emerenciana walked on four pitches, giving the Panthers a 2-0 lead.

The Panthers (18-13, 4-6 SSC) pretty much put this game to bed in the third inning with a five-run frame. Palmer’s RBI single made it 3-0 and one out later, Szrom took Santos deep. It was a three-run blast, doubling the Panthers lead to 6-0. Smith would follow that with a double and Shanysse Emerenciana would chase her home with a single to left, making it 7-0.

Barry (16-15, 1-6 SSC) would get to Panthers starter Melanie Murphy in the bottom of the third on an RBI groundout by Taylor Checkly and a double steal pulled off by Peyton Rawls and Sam Busekrus. That would be all Barry could muster against Murphy, but the Panthers offense was far from done.

Mikayla Wessel and Ally Carver hit back-to-back singles to start the inning. One out later, Palmer reached on a fielder’s choice. That brought Vanessa Rubio to the plate, who doubled to left on a 2-1 pitch, giving the Panthers a 9-2 lead. After Szrom drew a walk, Smith would double both runners in, making it 11-2. Xiarysse Emerenciana capped the scoring with an RBI single.

For more info: Florida Tech @ Barry Box Score

Murphy (7-5) went the distance in this one, She allowed two runs (one earned) on three hits and a walk. She threw 74 pitches in her five innings of work.

Offensively, Wessel (2-for-4), Carver (2-for-4), Szrom (2-for-2, 3 RBIs), Smith (2-for-3), and Shanysse Emerenciana (2-for-2) had a big hand in the Panthers 13-hit day.

The series wraps up Saturday with a doubleheader, beginning at 1:00 p.m.