Florida Tech Softball Keeps the Heat Turning – 13‑Game Winning Streak Goes Strong
Mid‑week huddle at the USSSA Space Coast Complex brought more fireworks to Viera, Florida. The Panthers not only beat Molloy 12‑9, but also shut out Southern Connecticut State 3‑0, extending a jaw‑dropping 13‑game surge. The Wildcats have turned their home turf into a fortress.
Game One – A High‑Scoring Tug‑of‑War
In a back‑and‑forth slugfest, the Panthers stole the spotlight with a 12‑9 victory over Molloy. Key moments:
- First Half: Molloy jumped out with a 2‑run lead in the first thanks to aggressive base‑running. The Panthers fought back in the third with a momentum‑shifting 2‑run hit from Miranda Schwartz.
- Middle Innings: Brooklyn Lorenzo and Kate Rodel powered the score to 6‑3 by the fourth. Hailey Mix hit her first career hom‑run, contributing two RBIs in a wicked sixth‑ inning explosion.
- Clutch Relief: Kelsey Han shut down Molloy’s offense from the mound, and Chloe Fariello sealed the win with two groundouts and a fly‑out for her first save.
Game Two – Dominant Defense & a Shut‑out
With the squad back at the ballfield, Florida Tech displayed a textbook shut‑out, topping Southern Connecticut State 3‑0. Highlights include:
- First Inning: Chloe Fariello capitalised on a Southern Connecticut catcher error, stepping up as a batter and scoring the opening run.
- Pitching: Sammy Murphy dazzled with five scoreless innings, keeping the Owls’ hitters flat‑lined. Only one hit found the fence in the fourth.
- Batting: Hailey Mix’s single in the fourth rallied Rider, while Miranda Schwartz capped it off with a triple in the sixth, delivering another error‑free run.
- Closing Out: Fariello pitched two more flawless innings of relief, earning her second career save.
Notable Panthers Who Turned the Charts
- Miranda Schwartz: 3‑for‑5 with 3 RBIs, a triple, plus a triple in Game Two.
- Sammy Murphy: 5 shutout innings, 9th win of the season, 17‑inning scoreless streak.
- Chloe Fariello: Two saves in a day, 4 strikeouts over 3 innings of relief.
- Hailey Mix: First career home‑run, 2 RBIs in Game One, plus a single in Game Two.
- Kate Rodel: 2‑for‑4 with a double in Game One, first career extra‑base hit.
Beyond the Box Score – The Panthers’ Legacy in Viera
Florida Tech is unbeaten against both Molloy (9‑0) and Southern Connecticut State (3‑0). With a 13‑game streak, it’s their longest run since 2013. The team now stands 14‑4 all‑time at the USSSA Space Coast Complex, a clean 3‑0 record this season. Sammy Murphy’s ERA sits at 2.91, ranking 18th in the SSC. The defense? Shutting out opponents in 3 of the last 4 games – talk about a wall of steel.
Next Up – A New Challenge at Saint Leo
The Panthers are eyeing a trio of games at Nancy Bottge Field, kicking off on Friday, March 21 at 6 p.m. ET. Can they keep the streak alive? Only time will tell. Stay tuned for more on‑field drama!