MIAMI SHORES, Fla.—The Barry Buccaneers fell 9-1 in five innings to the Florida Tech Panthers in the opener of their Sunshine State Conference softball series at Buccaneer Field on Friday night.

The Panthers (23-19, 8-10 SSC) scored eight runs in the fifth inning and held the Bucs off the board, despite a leadoff double from Kelly Martinez, in the bottom of the inning to end the game on the run rule.

After giving up a run in the first inning, the Bucs (20-16, 5-11 SSC) answered back in the bottom of the second. Kristina Pazienza blasted a leadoff homer to left to knot the game at 1-1.

Britney Pugh (6-5) took the loss for the Bucs. She worked 4.1 innings and allowed seven runs (six earned) on seven hits and four walks. Rachel Pence (14-9) worked a complete game for the Panthers, allowing just the one run on five hits and struck out seven.

The series concludes tomorrow at noon with a doubleheader.

(04/11/14 at Miami Shores, FL)

Florida Tech 9, Barry 1

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Florida Tech........ 100 08 -  9 10  1      (23-19, 8-10 SSC)
Barry...................... 010 00 -  1  5  1      (20-16, 5-11 SSC)
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Pitchers: Florida Tech - Rachel Pence and Nicole Shinsky. Barry - Britney Pugh; Camille Czarnecki(5) and Alexis Kent.
Win-Rachel Pence(14-9)  Loss-Britney Pugh(6-5)  T-1:42  A-101
HR BARRY - Kristina Pazienza (4).