Softball Opens SSC Title Defense With Win Over Panthers

MELBOURNE, Fla.—Shyla Rider scored twice, including the game-winner in the 11th inning as the Barry Buccaneers opened defense of their Sunshine State Conference title with a 2-1 win over Florida Tech at Nancy Bottge Field on Saturday.

Amber Jack (9-5) tossed a complete game to earn the win for the Bucs (14-9, 1-0 SSC). She allowed a run on six hits, walked two and struck out six. Tiffani Bishop (4-6) was the hard-luck loser for the Panthers (11-10, 0-1 SSC). She went the distance, allowing two runs (one earned) on nine hits and struck out three without issuing a walk.

The Panthers struck first in the fourth inning. Brianna Barth singled to lead off the inning. Sasha Stepaniuk dropped down a bunt, but Buccaneer third baseman Natalie Heeley went to second to try for Barth and was unsuccessful. Tyler Miller moved both runners with a bunt. Brooke Fisher followed with a single to score Barth, but Stepaniuk was gunned down at the plate by Grace Collins in right field.

The Bucs knotted the score in the sixth. Rider led off with a single and later scored on an RBI double by Amanda Goelz.

In the 11th, Rider again reached to lead off the inning, this time on an error by Fisher. She went to second on a single by Ashley Likens, and scored when Goelz singled up the middle and Panther center fielder Danielle Healy bobbled the ball.

The teams close out the series on Sunday with a doubleheader starting at noon.

(03/14/09 at Melbourne, FL)
Barry 2, Florida Tech 1
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Barry...................... 000 001 000 01 - 2 9 2 (14-8, 1-0 SSC)
Florida Tech........ 000 100 000 00 - 1 6 2 (11-10, 0-1 SSC)
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Pitchers: Barry - Amber Jack. Florida Tech - Tiffani Bishop.
Win-Amber Jack(9-5) Loss-Tiffani Bishop(4-6) T-2:37 A-70
Weather: looming