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Panthers Walk-Off Against Eagles

Drew Beyer – Photo credit: James Ragan Photography

A sacrifice fly by Jakob Newton with one out in the bottom of the ninth gave the Florida Tech Panthers a 4-3 walk-off win over the visiting Embry-Riddle Eagles on Friday night at Andy Seminick-Les Hall Field.

Ty Cohen got the start for Florida Tech and although he didn’t figure in the decision, he pitched well, striking out 10 and walking one in six innings of work. He allowed three earned runs on eight hits.

Offensively, the Panthers struck first in the bottom of the fourth. Zac Orchard drew a one-out walk against Embry-Riddle starter Daniel Agramont. One out later, Raul Quintero singled and came home on a Tyler Brown RBI single. It was the first hit for Brown in a Panthers uniform and his first RBI.

The lead didn’t last long, with the Eagles loading the bases in the top of the fifth and taking the lead on a two-run single by Kyle Marsh. Cohen came back to strike out Luis Olivier to end the inning.

Embry-Riddle (9-15, 0-7 SSC) added to their lead in the top of the sixth with a two-out tally. Alex Dodd singled and came home on a double by Cody Bogart, sliding in just ahead of the tag of Panthers catcher Ryan Sinzenich, giving the visitors a 3-1 lead.

Florida Tech (11-15, 3-7 SSC) had a quick answer in the bottom of the sixth. A single by Jacob Buser got things started with Orchard following suit with a single of his own. Newton then beat out a bunt, loading the bases with nobody out. Quintero got an RBI the easy way, working a walk and Orchard scampered home moments later on a wild pitch, tying the game at three.

Justin Barney took over for Cohen to start the seventh and put two runners on. He was bailed out on a nice play by Quintero at third, as he climbed the ladder to snatch a ball that almost went over his head. He gathered himself, stepped on third and threw to first in time to complete the double play and end the inning.

Agramont walked Sinzenich but got the first two outs in the bottom of the seventh, before Aidan Brady came in to get the final out. Agramont gave up seven hits in 6.2 innings. He walked five and struck out seven, giving up three earned runs.

The Panthers would load the bases in the bottom of the eighth with Quintero and Brown hitting consecutive singles. Unfortunately, they were stranded at first and third, with Rodnie Bernard and James Gronberg striking out, ending the threat.

Barney faced two batters in the top of the ninth, giving up a hit before giving way to Panthers closer Drew Beyer (2-3), who retired the two batters he faced.

That set the stage for the Panthers to walk off in the bottom of the ninth and that’s exactly what they did. Sinzenich, who struck out three times in this game came through with a single to start the frame. Pinch-runner Matt DiNenna was called on and immediately showed off his wheels, as Buser’s double sent him to third. After Orchard was intentionally walked to load the bases, Newton skied one to left-center, putting this one in the win column for the Panthers.

For more info: Embry-Riddle @ Florida Tech Box Score

Buser, Newton Quintero and brown all had two hits each, as the Panthers ended the night with 11 base knocks. This series continues on Saturday with a 3:00 p.m. game and will wrap up Sunday at 1:00 p.m.