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Panthers Complete Sweep of Griffins

Header Pic: Dylan Owens

The Florida Tech Panthers completed a weekend sweep of the Chestnut Hill Griffins on Sunday, winning the final game of the series 5-0 at Seminick-Hall Field. With the win, the Panthers improve to 15-5 and run their winning streak to four.

The Panthers put up 13 hits in this one with most of the damage coming from the top of the lineup. Dylan Dohanos (2-for-5), Jack Nagy (2-for-4), Jakob Newton (2-for-4, 2 RBIs), and Brett Parrish (2-for-4). Josh Ford, who started in place of catcher Dylan Owens, also had two hits. Owens would make his presence felt late.

Newton extended his hitting streak to 16 games, while Nagy has hit in seven straight, Alec Eldridge has hit in five straight, and Parrish extended his streak to three.

This game was scoreless for four-and-a-half innings as Chestnut Hill starter Pat Woltemate went against Panthers freshman starter Samuel Orozco.

Orozco (2-1) had some stressful innings early but got help from his defense on a couple of occasions. With runners on the corners in the third, the Griffins looked poised to open the scoring, but Parrish made a sliding catch in right field to end the inning.

The visitors would leave runners at second and third in the fourth but a groundout would end the inning.

The Panthers put together a two-out rally in the bottom of the fifth. Dohanos and Nagy hit back-to-back singles before Newton stroked a double to chase them both home and give Florida Tech a 2-0 lead.

The lead gave Orozco the chance to start the sixth but after he allowed a single to John Contoudis, Tech coach Jeff Tam decided that was enough and went to Mr. Reliable Danny Vassallo, out of the bullpen. All he did was get two strikeouts in that inning and back-to-back Ks in the seventh to keep the Griffins at bay.

Orozco pitched five innings, allowed six hits and no runs, striking out three and walking one. He threw 74 pitches, including 44 strikes. 

Owens came in to catch in the eighth inning and the Panthers’ defense turned a 4-6-3 double play in the frame.

Waltemate got through seven innings before giving way to Dan Rockenbach, who struggled. Newton and Parrish singled and one out later, Eldridge was intentionally walked, loading the bases. The next out was recorded, bringing Owens to the plate for his only at-bat of the day. He made the most of it, smacking a two-run single to left, giving the Panthers a 4-0 lead.

Luca Wentzel followed with an RBI single, giving the Panthers a three-spot in the inning and a 5-0 lead. Vassallo finished the ninth, completing a four-inning day for him that saw him strike out six and walk one, giving up only two hits. He threw 31 of 39 pitches for strikes.

Woltemate took the loss but deserves a tip of the cap. He threw seven innings and allowed two runs on nine hits while striking out three. He did not walk a batter and threw 102 pitches (69 strikes).

For more info: Florida Tech @ Chestnut Hill Box Score

Florida Tech will host Northwood in a 2:00 p.m. game tomorrow (Monday).