MELBOURNE, Fla. – Palm Beach Atlantic baseball dropped the series opener with Florida Tech on Thursday, as the Panthers won 6-4 at Andy Seminick-Les Hall Field. The Sailfish fall below .500 with the loss and are now 22-23 on the season.  FIT improves to 16-26 with the victory to even up the season series with the 'Fish.

FIT scored three runs in the first inning on Thursday, as they got three hits and took advantage of a Sailfish error in the opening frame. 

The 'Fish got one back in the third inning, as Danny Tufariello singled to left field to plate Jake Summey.

The Sailfish big offensive inning came in the fifth, as Ryan Johnson scored a run on an RBI fielder's choice, and was followed by Tufariello who singled to left field to score another run.  After a Kyle Simon bunt single, Evan Dougherty hit a sacrifice fly to give the 'Fish a 4-3 lead. 

The Panthers quickly answered, as they scored two runs in the bottom half of the fifth to retake the lead. 

The 'Fish looked to answer back in the sixth, as Hakeem Rhodes hit a rocket to deep left-center field.   Florida Tech centerfielder James Gronberg made an outstanding play however to rob a home run, and keep the Panthers in front.

Christian Denton threw three scoreless innings to finish the game for the Sailfish, but the offense wasn't able to score another run as the 'Fish lost 6-4.

Tufariello and Simon were the only two Sailfish hitters to finish with multiple hits on the night, as both went 2-for-4. 

The Sailfish and Panthers will play a doubleheader tomorrow at noon to close out the series.