Tech Completes Series Sweep with 5-2 over Belmont Abbey

DH John Mazur managed to slide safely into home Sunday on a wild pitch in Florida Tech's 5-2 win over Blemont Abbey. Photo by Richard Flutie.

MELBOURNE, Fla. (Baseball) – Though Florida Tech and Belmont Abbey were scheduled to resume play in game two from Saturday that was suspended due to darkness, the game was called and the Panthers claimed an 8-3 victory, followed by a 5-2 win in the final contest of the series Sunday for the series sweep of the Crusaders.

Tech finished its opening week with a spotless 4-0 scorecard while BAC falls to 1-3 on the season.

“This was obviously a great start for us this week,” said head coach Greg Berkemeier. “Today I felt like we took advantage of some great opportunities. Jono went out there, threw the ball well and threw zero after zero for us. I’m happy for Andrew who was able to come out and get the save today as well.”

Once again, it was a productive first inning for the Panthers who jumped out with an early 3-0 lead as Gus Fernandez singled to right to knock in Tony Moos and two others scored unearned runs on a Crusader mishap on the shortstop. From that point, it was a fairly quiet second and third, but the fourth saw Belmont Abbey crack onto the scoreboard when Ryan Ronda worked the count to full and then sent one sailing over the left field fence to close the gap on the Panthers.

Florida Tech had an answer in the bottom of the frame though when designated hitter John Mazur scored on a wild pitch after singling to get on base and advancing on a Moos single and a Chris Fox groundout. The Panthers then pushed their lead to 5-1 in the fifth when Jose Vazquez doubled down the right field line to drive in JD Davidson.

The Crusaders made it a three-run game once more in the top of the sixth when Chris Vazquez blooped one toward short that allowed Roland Rodriguez to cross home plate. Neither team could get much else going from then on as the Panthers posted just two more hits over the final three innings.

Andrew Buonanni came in to start the eighth inning, allowing just one hit while striking out two over two frames. Jonathan Cornelius picked up his second win of the young season, punching out eight over seven innings with two runs on six hits and one walk. Moos, Fox and Mazur each had a pair of hits in the win.

Rodriguez led the Crusaders in the effort with a 2-for-4 outing, scoring one run. Jordan Cudney suffered the loss for Belmont Abbey as he was charged with three earned runs on eight hits and one walk, striking out four.

The Panthers hit the road for the first time this season on Tuesday when they face Palm Beach Atlantic in a 6 p.m. contest.

All photos provided by Richard Flutie: http://RichardFlutiePhotography.Photostockplus.com.

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