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Panthers Manage One Hit Against VSU

It was a tough weekend for the No 9 Florida Tech Panthers in Gulf Shores Alabama. After having games rained out Friday, the Panthers lost twice on Saturday and followed that with a 9-0 loss in five innings on Sunday to No. 24 Valdosta State.

The Panthers (0-3) had Raychel Trocki (0-2) made her third consecutive start and Jordenne Gaten greeted her with a leadoff home run. Haley Garrett’s sac fly later in the inning made it 2-0 Blazers.

Vanessa Rubio drew a walk in the bottom of the second but was stranded at third, as the Panthers grounded into their second double play in as many innings.

The top of the third inning was a forgettable one for the Panthers. A two-run homer off the bat of Kiley Robb made it 4-0 and ended the day in the circle for Trocki who gave way to Jordan Lawlis. A walk, a single and an intentional walk followed, and Natalia Bellinger knocked two in with a single, making it 6-0. Nicole Pennington followed with a two-run single of her own to make it 8-0.

The Panthers were able to get out of the inning, but Trocki was charged with four runs, giving up five hits, walked three and struck out one in 2.1 innings.

Vanessa Rubio got the only hit of the day for the Panthers in the fourth inning, a single.

Pennington came around to score on a single after an error in the outfield allowed her to round the bases. That made it 9-0. With the Panthers going down in order in the fifth, the game ended due to the run-rule.

Lawlis pitched 2.2 innings, allowing five runs (four earned), walked two and struck out one.

For more info: Valdosta State @ Florida Tech Box Score

Next up for the Panthers will be the Florida Tech Invitational at the USSSA Complex in Viera. Games get underway Friday, February 7, with the Panthers taking on the University of West Georgia at 4:30, and The University of Alabama in Huntsville, at 7:00 p.m.