Photo: Tina Velazquez Rolon – Credit: Florida Tech Athletics
Samantha Guider pitched a complete-game seven-hit shutout in game two Saturday, helping the Panthers salvage a split in a doubleheader against Barry. After losing game one 4-3, the Panthers salvaged a split with a 4-0 win in game two, snapping a six-game losing streak in the process.
With the victory in game two, Panthers head coach Val Silvestrini earned her 316th win. That ties Nancy Bottge for first place on the all-time wins list at Florida Tech. She will look to break the record when the Panthers host Florida Southern at Nancy Bottge Field on April 7.
Game one saw the Panthers out hit the Bucs 8-6, but Barry used a four-run fifth inning against Panthers starter Jordan Lawlis to get the victory.
Florida Tech got on the board first when Cheyenne Nelson singled to start the inning and would later score on a single from Tori Szrom.
That run held up until the fifth when Barry sent 10 batters to the plate and was helped by four Florida Tech errors. Maggie Wheless did have an RBI on an infield single and Maddie Graham drew a bases-loaded walk in the inning.
The Panthers would get a run back in the bottom of the inning when singles from Mikayla Wessel and Emily Figueroa eventually led to a double steal. Wessel scored on the front end and made it 4-2.
Tech would get one run closer in the sith thanks to a double from Mikayla Lewin and a single off the bat of Chloe French, making it a 4-3 game. That was as close as the Crimson and gray would get, as Maci Barnhardt went the distance for the Buccaneers.
Lawlis (2-4) took the loss for the Panthers. She allowed three hits and only one of the four runs Barry scored were earned over 4.1 innings of work. She walked one and struck out five, throwing 53 of her 75 pitches for strikes.
Tina Velazquez Rolon pitched the final 2.2 innings, walking two and striking out three. Nelson and french led the offense with two hits apiece.
For more info: Barry @ Florida Tech Box Score (Game 1)
Game two was all Guider (2-2), as she did not allow a run and scattered seven hits. She struck out six and did not walk a batter. She threw an economical 73 pitches (55 strikes.
Szrom went 2-for-4 in this one, while Valazquez Rolon drove in three of the four runs.
Florida Tech (5-6, 4-5 SSC) got three runs in the first against Barry starter Cassandra Lee. Lee walked Figueroa and she was chased home when French singled. A double by Valazquez Rolon later in the inning scored French and Lewin, making it 3-0.
Velazquez Rolon gave the Panthers an insurance run in the fifth with a sacrifice fly, allowing pinch-runner Jenna Hornsby to score. Hornsby was running for Szrom, who doubled to start the inning.
For more info: Barry @ Florida Tech Box Score (Game 2)
The victory got the Panthers back in the win column for the first time since March 5 when they beat Lynn 8-4, and 10-1 in a doubleheader. Now they will have 11 days off before the doubleheader against the Moccasins at 3:00 p.m.