Melbourne, Fla. - In what has become an annual tradition, the softball team took a break from the Space Coast Spring Games to play the Panthers of Florida Tech, who was listed as receiving votes in the most recent Division II Top-25 poll according to the National Fastpitch Coaches Association. The Lions rallied late but fell 9-6 in the first game of the doubleheader before playing an abbreviated six-inning 8-0 contest in the second game. 

Game One: Florida Tech 9, Molloy 6

• Five Lions came to bat to get things started in the top of the first including singles from senior Mae Savage and junior Stevie Dabbadie, but the Panthers limited any further production, stranding Lions at the corners. 
• A lead-off bunt single from Chloe Fariello paired with a stolen base set the table for an RBI double from Emma Chisholm to put the home team on the board. Heads up base-running allowed Chisholm to score following a strikeout to double the lead.
• Florida Tech's offense continued in the home half of the second inning, putting up five runs on five hits including a two-run home run to make it 7-0.
• Molloy loaded the bases in the third inning with singles from Savage and senior Emily McGurk and a walk to freshman Ava Zicchinelli, but could not convert the runners into runs. 
• Two more runs would come home for the Panthers in the third to round out the home team's scoring.
• The Lions would finally break through in the fourth inning, loading the bases with no outs before a fielder's choice from Savage drove in their first run of the afternoon. Dabbadie followed with an RBI ground out to make it 9-2.
• Back-to-back walks in the top of the fifth inning set up junior Mariah Cepeda for an RBI single to center. Savage drove in her second run of the contest later in the inning with a single, bringing Molloy within five. 
• The Lions would load the bases again to start the seventh inning with a single from sophomore Casey Kissinger, a pinch hit walk to freshman Alyssa Bueno, and an infield single from Savage. McGurk drew a bases loaded walk to make it 9-5 before a pinch hit single from freshman Gabby Rocha rounded out the scoring and made it a three-run game. 
• Savage had a fantastic day at the plate with a career-high four hits in five appearances while driving in two runs. 
• Six Lions recorded a hit, including Rocha who tallied the first of her career in the effort. 

Game Two: Florida Tech 8, Molloy 0 (6 innings)

• The game would remain scoreless for three and a half innings with the Lions out-hitting the Panthers 3-1 coming off the bats of Savage, Zicchinelli, and freshman Skyler Secondino. 
• A lead-off home run from Miranda Schwartz broke the stalemate in favor of the home team. 
• The Panthers went yard again to start the fifth inning before making it 4-0 following an RBI double. 
• Four runs on two hits in the sixth inning made it 8-0 and triggered the mercy rule. 
• Sophomore Megan Wegel recorded the lone other hit for the Lions. 

Up Next
Molloy will return to the USSSA Complex tomorrow for games against Lewis (12:15 p.m.) and Post (2:30 p.m.) at the Space Coast Spring Games.