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Tampa Softball Takes Two From Tech

Photo: Victoria Szrom

After winning the series opener on Thursday in a rain-shortened game, the Tampa Spartans kept their winning ways going, taking a doubleheader from the Panthers at Nancy Bottge Field by scores of 9-2, and 6-1. All three Panthers’ losses have come at the hands of Tampa this week.

The Panthers had eight hits in a game one, including a 3-for-3 day from Victoria Szrom. Chloe French had two hits. Cheyenne Nelson and Mikayla Lewin each had a double in game one.

Tampa had 12 hits as a team with four players getting two hits apiece.

Florida Tech got on the board first against Tampa starter Emily Proffitt. Mikayla Wessel singled and stole second then took third on an error. After a strikeout, the Tampa catcher dropped the ball and had to throw to first to complete the strikeout. Wessel’s heads-up baserunning allowed her to come home with the first run of the game.

Tampa took the lead in the top of the third as an error led to two unearned runs against Panthers starter Samantha Guider. Lauren Fantone had the two-run single that put the Spartans in front.

The Spartans put this one away in the top of the fourth, sending 11 batters to the plate in a seven-run inning. Stephanie Balmer’s two-run homer made it 4-1. After giving uo another single, Guider was lifted in favor of Raychel Trocki.

A two-run triple by Corynn Miner later in the frame made it 6-1. Fantone followed with an RBI single, and Lexie Chevalier hit a two-run blast, making it 9-1. Trocki did not record an out, prompting Panthers coach Val Silvestrini to bring Guider back to stop the bleeding.

Florida Tech got one run back in the bottom of the fifth. Lewin doubled and stole third, coming home on a Whitney Ellis groundout.

Guider (1-1) pitched to all but four batters, going seven innings allowing eight hits and five runs, three of those earned. She walked two and struck out three, throwing 65 of her 80 pitches for strikes.

For more info: Tampa @ Florida Tech Box Score (Game 1)

Florida Tech (4-3) got on the board first in the bottom of the second when French belted a solo home run off of Miner. French went 2-for-3 in the game, leading the Panthers who had six knocks as a team.

Mariah Galhouse answered with authority in the top of the third when she hit a three-run shot against  Florida Tech starter Jordan Lawlis giving the Spartans a 3-1 lead. Lawlis (2-2) would last four innings, allowing three runs on four hits and striking out four. She threw 59 pitches, 34 for strikes.

Tina Velazquez Rolon relieved Lawlis to start the fifth. Tampa added two runs in the sixth including an Alexa Russo RBI single. An error led to the second run, making it a 5-1 game. The final Tampa run was a home run off the bat of Miner in the seventh.

For more info: Tampa @ Florida Tech Box Score (Game 2)

The Panthers will head to Miami Shores on Wednesday to take on Barry in a doubleheader. Florida Tech head coach Val Silvestrini currently has 315 wins and is one away from tying Nancy Bottge for the top spot in all-time wins as a Florida Tech coach. A sweep of that doubleheader would put her alone at the top.