The Florida Tech Panthers hung on for a 3-2 win over Lynn Friday, as right fielder Brett Parrish came up throwing and cut down James Buckley for the final out in the top of the ninth, ensuring the Panthers win the opening game of this weekend’s Sunshine State Conference series at Andy Seminick-Les Hall Field in Melbourne.
The game was delayed 48 minutes at the start, due to the rain later in the day, but once things got going, it was a fun night at the ballpark.
Andy Marzheuser gave the Panthers another stellar performance on the mound, pitching seven innings and allowing two runs on five hits. He had six strikeouts, throwing 70 of his 98 pitches for strikes. That was only good enough for a no-decision.
Marzheuser allowed a run-scoring single to Alejandro Martinez in the top of the first. He came back and struck out two batters in the second. Martinez came up again in the top of the third and was robbed of a hit on a good play at third by Raul Quintero.
Florida Tech (17-14, 6-7 SSC) got on the board in the bottom of the third against Lynn starter Nicholis Prather. He gave up a single to James Gronberg, who went to second on a ground out by Jacob Buser. A balk moved him to third and one batter later, Blaise Maris singled him home, tying the game 1-1.
In the top of the fourth, Quintero was at it again, fielding a bunt by Buckley with his bare hand and throwing it to first in time, as Buser made a good play at first to snare the ball in time to get the out. That was the highlight of a quick six-pitch inning for Marzheuser.
Lynn (16-18, 6-13 SSC) took the lead in the fifth inning, starting with Tom Archer being hit by a pitch. He was sacrificed to second and came home on an RBI single by Shayne Fontana, making it a 2-1 game.
The Panthers who had left at least one runner on in every inning through the fifth, had a great chance to score in the sixth, as Jakob Newton reached on a fielder’s choice and stole second. Rodnie Bernard then reached on an error, but Newton, who tried to score on the play was thrown out at the plate, ending the inning.
Marzheuser got through the seventh and gave way to Justin Barney, who had a sparkling eighth inning, throwing five pitches. Jake Buxbaum, who came in to start the seventh for Lynn, was let down by his defense in the bottom of the eighth.
Parrish started the inning by drawing a walk on a very close 3-2 pitch. Quintero singled on an 0-2 pitch, putting runners at first and second. A groundout by Newton got the runners to second and third and one out later, Bernard hit a high chopper to short that Anthony Sanabria fielded, but his throw to first got by Martinez and allowed two runs to score, giving the Panthers a 3-2 lead.
As soon as the third run scored, Panthers closer Ryan Allain got up in the bullpen and he came in to pitch the ninth. He struggled a bit early in the inning, giving up a single to Buckley. A wild pitch brought him to second, but Allain got himself together and struck out the next two batters.
That brought Sanabria to the plate and he put himself in position to make up for that error in the eighth, as he singled to right. Parrish charged and came up throwing. Maris got the ball, and turned to tag Buckley in plenty of time, ending the game, and giving the Panthers a much-needed win.
Barney got his first win of the season, despite throwing just five pitches. Allain earned his seventh save.
For more info: Lynn @ Florida Tech Box Score
The series is scheduled to wrap up Saturday with a doubleheader. The first pitch is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.