Photo – Paul Castillo – Credit: Florida Tech Athletics

Freshman Daniel Vassallo pitched six strong innings on Thursday, leading the Florida Tech Panthers (7-4, 6-4 SSC) past the Barry Buccaneers 5-2, at Andy Seminick-Les Hall Field. The win snaps a three-game losing streak for the Panthers.

This was a pitcher’s duel in the early going as Barry starter Mike Regan shut the Panthers out over the first four innings, allowing singles to Alec Eldridge and Dylan Owens. Owens had the only multi-hit game for Florida Tech, going 2-for-3 with a walk.

Barry (4-4 (2-2 SSC) took a 1-0 lead in the top of the fourth on a Bran Socorro RBI single. Despite giving up that run, Vassallo had six strikeouts through four innings. Regan would tally six through his first four innings.

Vassallo would K two more in the fifth, bringing his total to eight. It was then time for the Panthers’ offense to go to work. 

Blaise Maris walked and went to second on a balk. He advanced to third on a groundout and Raul Quintero brought him home with an RBI single, tying the game 1-1. Quintero went to second on a balk and advanced to third on a wild pitch. Erislandy Rives was brought in to pitch and immediately threw a wild pitch, allowing Quintero to score the second run.

After Rodnie Bernard’s infield single extended his hitting streak to six games, Dylan Owens single scored Newton to make it 3-1. A Brett Parrish RBI single made it 4-1. When all was said and done, the Panthers sent nine men to the plate and scored four runs on four hits.

Barry did get a run back in the top of the sixth when Blake Brito got the third single of the inning, scoring David Vazquez to make it 4-2. Vazquez finished the day 4-for-4 with a run scored. Vassallo did get his ninth strikeout earlier in the inning.

Vassallo (1-1) got through the frame, allowing seven hits in six innings. He gave up two earned runs, walking one and striking out nine. He threw 107 pitches, 70 for strikes.

Florida Tech reliever Andres Rodriguez came out of the bullpen to start the seventh. He allowed one hit in his two innings of work, walking one and striking out three.

Paul Castillo widened the Panthers’ lead to 5-2 with a solo home run leading off the eighth. That big blast broke a 1-for-25 slump for Castillo.

Alex Carpenter came on to pitch the ninth, nailing down his third save of the season. He allowed one hit and struck out one.

For more info: Barry @ Florida Tech Box Score

These two teams will meet again Saturday, March 27 in Miami Shores. Game one of the doubleheader gets underway at 2:00 p.m.