BOCA RATON, Fla. - Lynn University's softball team moved to 14-14 overall and 4-5 in Sunshine State Conference play on Saturday afternoon after splitting its twin bill with Florida Tech (25-10, 5-4). A rough start for Missy Montgomery in the first game saw the Fighting Knights trailing 5-0 but Lynn rallied in the later innings to win in walk-off fashion, 6-5. Florida Tech's ace left little room for the Blue & White to capitalize on in the rubber match of the series, handing Lynn a 2-0 loss. 

In game one, Montgomery struggled in the circle allowing five runs, all of which were earned, including a grand slam by Hailey Leonard giving FIT a 5-0 lead with just one out. Francais Olexa came in to pitch and set retired the next two batters to escape the inning. 

Olexa would go on to pitch well into the game to face 21 batters allowing just three hits and no runs while striking out six in four and a third innings of work. Montgomery returned to pitch in the top of the sixth where she allowed just one hit. 

FIT's Taylor Smith was perfect through three and two thirds but she struck Olexa with a pitch giving the Blue & White it's first base runner of the game, ending her perfect game bid.

The match was sparked in the bottom of the sixth inning as Lynn scored four runs on five hits and a Panthers error to make it a 5-4 ball game. An infield single by Christina Carvatta to lead off the inning started the rally followed by Cherise McEnery reaching on a fielding error by Florida Tech's short stop. Leanne Wright reached on a fielder's choice which plated the Blue & White's first run. A single up the middle by Jasmine Campos scored McEnery followed by a infield single for Manya Lopez cut FIT's lead to 5-3. 

Amanda Casillas laid down the perfect squeeze bunt to score Campos cutting the Panthers' lead to one, 5-4. Florida Tech was able to escape the bases loaded jam and was unable to add insurance runs in the top of the seventh inning stranding one runner on base. 

Pence came on to relieve Smith, who tossed six innings allowed four runs, three earned, on six hits while striking out three, in the bottom half of the frame. 

Vassallo reached on catcher's interference to begin the rally but would later be thrown out at second as McEnery reached on a fielder's choice. A single up the middle by Wright put runners on second and third and a single to the short stop by Lopez plated Vassallo to tie the game 5-all. Pence struck out Casillas for her second K of the inning but her pitching counterpart would not go down easy. Olexa singled through the left side to score pinch runner Madison White to end the game with a walk off, 6-5. 

Wright and Lopez both went 2-for-4 at the plate while seven Knights total recorded hits. Montgomery earned the win in the circle for Lynn pitching two and a third innings. 

In the second game of the double header and the series rubber match, Florida Tech jumped out to an early lead on a RBI single by Nicole Shinsky. Wright robbed Shinsky of a home run in the top of the sixth to avoid the Panthers adding to their lead. But when Elizabeth Eby stepped to the plate an inning later, Lynn's Kaci Vassallo wasn't in time at the fence to mirror her right side's action as the Panther hit a solo home run to make it a 2-0 game.

Pence set down the Fighting Knights in order on three weak pop ups to end the game and take the SSC series 2-1 over the Blue & White. FIT's sophomore ace tossed a complete game shut out allowing two hits while striking out five.

Olexa went the distance in the circle for Lynn, allowing two earned runs on seven hits and striking out two. Lopez and Casillas were the only two who recorded hits for the Blue & White. 

Lynn will travel to St. Petersburg, Fla., March 27-28 for a SSC series at Eckerd. First pitch of the series is slated for Friday night at 6 pm. Fans can follow the action live at LynnFightingKnights.com. Don't forget to 'Like' us on Facebook and follow @Lynn_Knights on Twitter and Instagram for in-game updates.