MELBOURNE, Fla. — Florida Southern (1-9,0-4 SSC) fell 3-1 to Florida Tech (10-3-1,4-0 SSC) on Thursday evening in Melbourne in Sunshine State Conference action.
Despite the loss, the Moccasins gave a competitive effort and received a strong performance in the circle from
Amanda Lieberman. Lieberman tossed six innings and allowed three runs on nine hits while striking out three and keeping the Panthers off balance throughout the contest.
Florida Tech broke through in the bottom of the third inning. Ella Niles reached on a Florida Southern error before Chloe Fariello singled out to put two runners aboard. After a sacrifice bunt by Miranda Schwartz advanced both runners into scoring position, Emma Chrisolm delivered a two-run single up the middle to give the Panthers a 2-0 lead.
Florida Southern responded in the fifth inning.
Cam Nolte singled to left field and later scored on an RBI single from
Emma Lucchesi, cutting the deficit to 2-1.
The Panthers added an insurance run in the sixth. Haley Rider doubled to left field and was replaced by pinch runner Jaqcleen Golden. After Golden advanced to third on a groundout, Malaya Nelson singled to bring her home and extend the lead to 3-1.
Fariello led the Panthers offensively, with three hits and two stolen bases. Chisholm added two RBIs with her key hit. Sammy Murphy pitched a complete game for Florida Tech, striking out nine while allowing just three hits and one earned run.
For Florida Southern, Nolte and Lucchesi each recorded a hit, with Lucchesi driving in the Moccasins' lone run.
Kate Mikle added a double in the sixth inning.
The Moccasins will look to bounce back, Friday, Feb. 27, at Nancy Bottge Field in Melbourne, with the first pitch of the doubleheader scheduled for 1 p.m.
