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Panthers Even Series With Florida Southern

Brett Parrish went 2-for-3 with a run scored in Saturday’s win over Florida Southern. Donny Rieber Jr | Sports Lowdown

Florida Tech baseball came from behind Saturday afternoon to take game two of the weekend series from Florida Southern 6-4, at Andy Seminick-Les Hall Field in Melbourne.

Down 4-3 entering the bottom of the sixth, the Panthers got an RBI double from Vinny Catanza to tie things up, and an infield single from Pedro Rivera, giving them a lead they would not relinquish.

Colin Cristello got the start for the Panthers and gave the Panthers 5.2 innings, allowing six hits and four earned runs. He had five strikeouts through the first two innings and ended the day with six. He walked three batters, and hit two more, throwing 96 pitches.

Cooper Bradford pitched six innings for Florida Southern, with only two of the five runs he allowed being earned. He was victimized by three Mocs’ errors.

Jacob Teter got Florida Southern on the board with an RBI single in the top of the first. The fielding issues that Florida Southern had started in the bottom of the inning, leading to two Florida Tech runs.

Rodnie Bernard reached on a throwing error to start the inning and Bradford hit James Gronberg, putting runners at first and second. Jacob Buser reached on a fielder’s choice and stole second. Blaise Maris then hit a ball to short that was thrown away, bringing Bernard and Buser home, putting the Panthers up 2-1.

Florida Tech (20-15, 9-8 SSC) added a run in the bottom of the third. Maris singled with one out, and after a wild pitch and a groundout moved him to third, he scored on a single by Raul Quintero, making it 3-1.

Florida Southern (20-16, 6-11 SSC) would tie things with two runs in the fourth, thanks to a two-run single by Ricky Gonzalez. With that, it was a 3-3 game.

In the top of the sixth, FSC went back on top. Austin Huber doubled down the line in left and he went to third on a wild pitch. Cristello left after the wild pitch, relieved by Jake Lane. Zach Scott later drew a bases-loaded walk, allowing Huber to score, giving the visitors a 4-3 lead.

The Panthers erased that lead in the bottom of the frame. Brett Parrish started the inning with a single and was chased home on Catanza’s double. The Panthers regained the lead when Rivera singled, and another throwing error allowed Catanza to score, giving the Panthers a 5-4 lead.

Lane (2-3) was the pitcher of record when that run scored, and he was credited with the win. The Panthers would get an insurance run in the eighth. Quintero drew a walk and later scored on a Bernard double, making it a 6-4 game.

Ryan Allain picked up his eighth save of the season, pitching a scoreless ninth that included two strikeouts.

For more info: Florida Southern at Florida Tech Box Score

The rubber game of this series is scheduled for Sunday at noon.